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Education Minister John O'Dowd spent today in the Newry area visiting schools on results day.
Visiting Newry High School and St Paul’s High School in Bessbrook, Education Minister John O’Dowd said: “I would like to offer my best wishes to all those who have received their exam results today. I know that these results are the culmination of many years’ hard work by pupils, with support from their teachers and families. I congratulate all involved.
“This year, there have been 31,600 entries for A levels, representing a 3.8 percentage point (pp) decrease on last year, however it looks like a short-term decline as entry figures for AS level have increased by 5.2pp to 45,751 this year, the highest entry for AS here since its introduction in 2001. It is encouraging that more pupils are continuing with their education after the age of 16 and I hope this trend will continue in the coming years.
“The implementation of the Entitlement Framework has opened up a world of choice for pupils sitting A levels. Every pupil is different and they stand the best chance of succeeding if they follow courses that interest and inspire them. Pupils here continue to perform particularly well and I am delighted to see STEM subjects such as biology and maths ranking amongst the most popular choices for pupils.
“However, not all pupils will get the results they were hoping for today and I urge those young people not to worry. Help and advice is available to you and I encourage you to speak to your teachers, careers advisers and parents to discuss your future career or study path.”
Results at A level remain relatively steady with a slight increase in the percentage of entries being awarded the top A* grade, rising from 7.2% last year to 7.3% in 2014. At A*-A there was a slight decrease of 0.8pp from last year to 29.9% whereas entries achieving A*-C rose slightly to 83.7% (83.5% in 2013). The percentage of entries achieving the overall A*-E pass rate has remained broadly similar at 98.1% as opposed to 98.2% in 2013.
Commenting on the achievements of students from throughout the area the Mayor of Newry and Mourne Dáire Hughes said "I would like to congratulate all those young students getting their results today, well done to you all. The results also are a credit to the professionalism and commitment of teachers and parents".
The Mayor added "For those who did not achieve the grades you wanted, there are many avenues open to you and I would urge you to explore these by talking to your teachers and parents".
He concluded by stating "I sincerely wish you all every success for the future, whether you decide to go on to study, take up a new course, go into training or employment.”
Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry said: “The importance of making an informed decision following exam results is imperative to effective career planning. Taking time now to explore options will pay dividends in the future. There are many opportunities available to you and I would urge you to examine these fully. My Department’s Careers Service can help you unlock your potential.
“Careers Advisers are located across Northern Ireland and offer professional, impartial advice and guidance on the options available. Careful consideration should be given to these as they are the first step towards achieving a fulfilling career. I would urge you all to visit NIdirect careers webpageexternal link for a wealth of useful information and the location of your nearest careers adviser or, alternatively, you can call 0300 200 7820.
“Northern Ireland’s further education colleges also offer you the opportunity to study from a wide range of part and full-time courses to suit your career path, with options including Foundation Degrees, A Levels, GCSEs, NVQs and apprenticeships. You may want to consider an apprenticeship, where you have the opportunity to develop specialist skills, giving you the chance to earn while you learn and gain qualifications that are recognised worldwide. I recently launched the ICT Apprenticeship Scheme so for further details visit NIdirect apprenticeships webpageexternal link relating to their exam results eg appeals, remarks, re-sits, please contact your exam centre or the CCEA helpline on Tel No: 028 9026 1260 or email: helpline@ccea.org.uk.
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With local school pupils getting their A Level results today staff and students at St Mary’s High School are celebrating another successful year of excellent results at ‘AS’ and ‘A’ Level.
The Principal, Mrs Margo Cosgrove, praised the 100% pass at ‘A’ Level with 71% achieving the highest grades A* - C.
She commented, “the students have maintained the high standards within the school and these excellent results reflect their dedication and commitment to their studies. These students have also made a very positive impact on the life in the school through their many achievements and fine leadership qualities. Hard work, excellent teaching, pastoral support and the dedication and support from parents ensured the students achieved their potential, allowing progression onto their chosen course at University, College or Higher Education”.
The Principal also acknowledged the enriching effect of St Mary’s collaboration with St Colman’s College, St Mark’s High School and the Southern Regional College.
Newry City Sinn Féin Councillor Valerie Harte sent her congratulations to the School commenting "Well done to all the students, principal Mrs Margo Cosgrove and her staff. There was 100% pass at "A" Level with 71% achieving the highest A-C grades" said the local Councillor who continued "We are all very proud of this school and the continuing high standards it is maintaining".
Mayor of Newry & Mourne Dáire Hughes commenting of the achievements of students from throughout the area said "I would like to congratulate all those young students getting their results today, well done to you all. The results also are a credit to the professionalism and commitment of teachers and parents
The Mayor added "For those who did not achieve the grades you wanted, there are many avenues open to you and I would urge you to explore these by talking to your teachers and parents".
He concluded by stating"I sincerely wish you all every success for the future, whether you decide to go on to study A Levels, take up a new course, go into training or employment.”
Top St Mary's students 2014
Michaela Doherty A* A B Sports and Exercise Sciences, Business Studies and Religious Studies
Shannon Doyle A A B Business Studies, ICT, Moving Images Arts
Nicola O Gorman A* B B Sports and Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Health and Social Care
Lauren Carrol A B B Health and Social Care, Business Studies, Religious Studies
Kate Madine A* A A Sociology, Business, Health and Social Care
Danielle Kinney A B B Child Development, Business Studies , Art
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There are still a few hurdles (or competitions) to negotiate but three of Southern Regional College's finest apprentices have been selected for the UK Worldskills Squad from which the UK Team that will compete in São Paulo will be selected. Worldskills is held every two years and in 2015, like the World Cup now and the Olympics in 2106, it will be held in Brazil. Worldskills is a showcase of the skills of young people. Every 2 years over 1000 18-25 year olds across the globe compete in over 40 skills ranging from Aircraft Maintenance and Beauty Therapy to Web Design and Welding.
At the recent squad Selection Competition Shane Brannigan, Hilltown, Gary Doyle, Ballyward and Brendan Magee, Mayobridge, fought off competitors from across the UK to make it into the Squad. To make it to Brazil, the trio will have to undergo intense training programmes supported by Training Managers and Performances Coaches between now and May 2015. This will be nothing new to the trio who have had previous successes in skills competitions: Brendan who is employed by Ryan O’Gorman Painting and Decorating won the Northern Ireland Gold medal for Painting and Decorating in 2013; Gary who works for Kieran Trainor Plumbing won this year’s Plumbing Gold medal and was crowned Young Apprentice of the Year at the recent Northern Ireland Skillbuild competition; and, Shane, employed by Martin Johnston Plumbing and Heating is the best plumber in the UK having won UK Gold in Birmingham last November ( Gary got the Silver).
Mr John Quinn, Director of Employer Engagement & External Relations at Southern Regional College, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Shane, Gary and Brendan are in the UK Squad for Worldskills. Their commitment and professionalism as well as the support of their employers and our staff will give them opportunity of making it onto the UK Team and participating in the experience of a lifetime in Brazil. The only disappointing aspect is that Shane and Gary are competing with each other – the best two young plumbers in the UK! Brendan faces a challenge from two other apprentices from England. I wish Shane, Gary and Brendan every success in the year ahead, may the best apprentices win! ”
Keith Smith, Official Delegate, WorldSkills UK said: “By taking part in international competitions, the UK is able to showcase the high levels of performance that can be achieved by individuals and organisations through high quality further education, skills training and Apprenticeships. I offer my congratulations to everyone who has been selected to compete in the Squad UK Selection for WorldSkills Sao Paulo 2015 and I wish them the best of luck in their preparations for the Competitions.”
Participating in WorldSkills enables countries to share best practise in Apprenticeships and vocational teaching, raising standards on a global scale. The competitions showcase the high levels of performance that can be achieved by individuals and organisations through quality training, inspiring young people and adults to be ambitious in their pursuit of skills to the highest level.
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Three talented Beauty Therapy students from Southern Regional College competed in WorldSkills UK which took place at Belfast Metropolitan College on Tuesday 17th June 2014. Lorren Ganley from Lurgan Campus, Shannon Moran from Newry Campus and Aisling Hillen from Newry Campus took part in the intermediate heat alongside the best Beauty Therapy students from across Northern Ireland.
Competitors were judged on waxing, manicure and make up techniques. Shannon who studies on the Newry campus of Southern Regional College beat off stiff competition to be crowned winner in her section. High scoring competitors will progress onto the WorldSkills UK live final in November in NEC Birmingham.
The WorldSkills UK competition offers students and trainees the opportunity to benchmark their abilities against industry peers, perfect their skills and demonstrate their Beauty Therapy talents. They also have the opportunity to go on the represent their country at Worldskills in Abu Dhabi.
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Transport Minister Danny Kennedy took time out of his busy schedule to visit Windsor Hill Primary School in Newry last week before the school closes for the summer break.
The Minister was invited by P5-P6 students to find out about the road safety project they had undertaken and to hear their findings about parking and traffic calming in the area.
The Minister heard how the pupils had expressed some concerns about roads in their local area and had decided to carry out some research with a view to improving safety near the school.
The children were able to identify a number of concerns with parking and speed, and presented some of their ideas for solutions to Mr. Kennedy. These included a 10mph speed limit together with speed bumps and a pedestrian priority zone to make the area safer for pupils, and a parking time limit or a parking charge for non-residents.
Mr. Kennedy also took the time to present a group of Primary 7 pupils with their Cycling Proficiency awards!
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As part of its Educational Outreach Initiative, the Newry Chamber of Commerce helped facilitate a powerful learning experience for pupils at St Joseph’s Boys’ HS, Newry.
Richard Moore visited the school to have a deeply moving chat with pupils as part of their Citizenship studies.
Richard was blinded at the age of ten by a rubber bullet and despite his blindness, went on to live a remarkable life.
Amongst countless inspiring incidents that followed Richard set up the Children in Crossfire charity which is helping thousands of less fortunate children around the world to have a better standard of life through educationally developed programmes.
Citizenship Co-ordinator Mr Brendan Fearon thanked Mrs Deborah Loughran, president of the Newry Chamber of Commerce, for her invaluable assistance in organising the event and gave thanks to Mr Jack Murphy and Ms Gemma Murphy for their help in raising awareness of Children in Crossfire at St Joseph’s.
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A wide range of work was on display from students who attended the Newry Campus in Level 2 & 3 in Creative Media, Newry Level 3 Extended Diploma Art & Design and Foundation Art classes.
The students all displayed their work in the Newry West and East buildings. For more information about Creative Classes available at SRC campuses call 0845 604 0033 or log on to www.src.ac.uk
Many of the students will be exhibiting in the Hill Street Festival of Windows that will run for two weeks in shop windows the length of Hill Street in Newry from next Friday the 13th of June.
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Painter and Decorators Kevin and Francis Smith have sponsored the Netball kit for the Junior Netball players at St Mary's High School, Newry .
Pupils have celebrated many successes in netball this year with students representing Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the World Netball Championships in Glasgow in August 2013.
The Junior Netball team competes at SELB and Schools Cup/Plate Level and hope one day to emulate the successful senior players.
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Last month Southern Regional College (SRC) celebrated the third year of ‘Employ Me’ programme as students graduate in the Armagh City Hotel and many local students joined in the celebrations.
The guest speakers at the event impressed the audience with their personal stories.?Ms Anne Rooney, Director at FPM Chartered Accountants, and Mr Hugh Daly, Proprietor of Carndale Ltd, inspired the audience with their own experiences of learning and explained how with the right attitude, hard work and commitment one can gain vocational qualifications to build successful careers.
Employ Me is a package of training offered FREE to anyone unemployed across the southern region. The programme is funded by the Department for Employment & Learning (DEL), European Social Fund (ESF) and Southern Regional College (SRC).?Participants can choose one of six core pathways from Construction, Engineering, Finance, Hospitality, IT and Retail and are given the opportunity to achieve additional accredited qualifications in numeracy, literacy and IT. Further support in terms of personal development, careers advice and work placement opportunities are provided to increase participant’s employability as well as assistance with childcare expenses while attending the programme, travel reimbursement and learning support to help students achieve their potential.
Since it began three years ago over 115 participants have successfully completed the programme with 50 participants successfully obtaining employment as a result of their participation.
Mr Brian Doran CEO of SRC commented “the Employ Me programme is making a real difference to the lives of individual participants.?Not only is this evident through the achieving of qualifications but the confidence and belief that individuals have acquired during their time with us at SRC.?I encourage all participants to continue their journey of learning to acquire further qualifications and skills and be assured that the College will continue to support you on this venture.’
The Employ Me is a part-time programme run over a 25-week period. The next programme will begin in September 2014, applications are now being accepted.
For further information please contact the Employ Me office on 028 3751 2825 or email employme@src.ac.uk.
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