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Through the support of Extended Schools funding, St Joseph’s Boys’ High School is providing an invaluable service for pupils in the way of a morning breakfast club.
The impact of the club has been greatly assisted by a £200 contribution from Kellogs as part of a nutritious kick-start initiative.
Extended Schools coordinator Mr Brendan Fearon expressed his sincere gratitude to the staff involved in this key initiative for their continued efforts in providing such a significant resource for pupils as well as thanking Kellogs for their greatly received contribution.
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Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland yesterday visited the Southern Regional College in Newry where he launched a qualification for those wishing to work in the offshore industry.
The Basic Offshore Safety Induction & Emergency Training (BOSIET) qualification, which will be delivered through the Oceans 14 project in the SRC, will provide accredited training and employment opportunities. The course covers safety and emergency response procedures such as fire fighting, first aid and sea survival. On completion, participants will be able to seek and secure employment in the Oil and Gas offshore industries.
Minister McCausland said: “This is another innovative project developed by the Southern Regional College, with the aim of providing training and employment opportunities for Neighbourhood Renewal residents.
“To date the Department has provided funding of £2.5 million to the College for 17 separate and highly innovative training programmes across the southern area, with over 1600 residents gaining accredited qualifications. This is a major achievement.
“These projects clearly demonstrate what can be achieved through working in partnership with government, statutory bodies and the voluntary and community sector. They will help sustain existing jobs and create new employment opportunities for residents within the Newry Neighbourhood Renewal Area this making a significant contribution to the economic regeneration of this area.”
Southern Regional College Assistant Director, David Vint, praised the commitment of participants on the programme saying: “I hope the BOSEIT qualification will prove to be a valuable community asset and in the future will provide a platform to help stimulate employment and enable those who have benefitted to use their skills and experiences to develop their career paths. Southern Regional College, in partnership with other statutory and voluntary organisations, wish to deliver real benefits for local people and seeks to be an agent for meaningful social change.”
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Computing students recently gathered on Newry Campus of SRC to compete in a cutting edge Microsoft App Technology Competition.
Higher Education students attended from Portadown and Newry Campuses to battle it out to create the winning App with the winning students Stephen Shields and Dean Meehan both locals of Newry.
The competition, which began in January, involved students designing and developing Windows 8 phone Apps and culminated in a selection being released to the Global Microsoft market at the end of March. The event saw Microsoft Educational Evangelist Stephen Howell educate students on the complexities of designing, creating and finally uploading an App to the Windows App Store.?Using the latest online development tools students were able to design, develop and publish Windows 8 Apps.
Ten of the first Apps uploaded and currently available for download from the Windows App Store received one year XBox Live subscriptions. App ideas throughout the group were diverse and imaginative, reflecting the students wide range of interests. Apps’ were developed relating to the topics of soccer, local news, education, the world around us and Music to mention a few.?
All students that completed an App within the 3 day development process were entered in a draw to win a Windows 8 phone. The lucky Student was Larren Geary from Richhill who walked away with a shiny new Nokia 520.?All the ‘Appy developers on the final day received Microsoft branded t-shirts.
Speaking about the competition Stephen Howell, Microsoft Educational Evangelist said: “Making sure that the youth of today both have access to technology and understand how easy it is to use is one of our core objectives at Microsoft. The focus on coding, developing and building apps has really grown over the last couple of years and through competitions like today’s we want to demonstrate that anyone can design their own app. The technology industry is a dynamic sector to work in and every day the focus changes. By being ahead of the curve and providing students with the knowledge to build their own app they are equipping themselves with tools that will help them to progress in the work force of today. Whether you’re a marketer looking to promote your product or a coder developing a ground breaking idea the knowledge of how to design and app will be useful. I’d like to congratulate all the students here today and encourage them to continue with their interest in technology.”
Bryan Keating, Chair of MATRIX the Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel, and Catrina Gallen from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment were visiting Southern Regional College on the same day.
Bryan Keating, Chair of MATRIX the Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel said: “Our purpose in visiting the college was to see and hear about the courses and opportunities available to students in the local area, particularly in the areas of science and technology and to determine ways in which MATRIX and the College can work together for mutual benefit.
“It was evident from our discussions with the College Head Brian Doran and Claire Byrne that the college has built up solid relationships and partnerships with local businesses who benefit from the high standard of courses the colleges provides and the problem solving abilities of the staff at the college.
“We were also fortunate that our fact-finding meeting coincided with Microsoft Evangelist Stephen Howell’s master class on creating apps and I was hugely impressed by the students and their teachers’ enthusiasm on maximising the opportunity to learn new skills. I am confident many of these students will go on to very successful careers in industries where Northern Ireland excels, including ICT and the creative industries.”
Stephen Herron, Lecturer at SRC and Event Organiser said: “This event has been really beneficial for all the students taking part, considering the current rate at which technology is developing it is essential that SRC students are at the cutting edge.”
Sharon McCone (STEM Coordinator) sees this event as the first of many to help embed this technology into the current STEM initiative and push forward the exciting developments to be showcased later this year.
"The excitement generated at Higher Education level has filtered through to the Level 2 and 3 courses with new students excited about the inclusion of mobile development into their new courses starting this September, and we can’t wait to see their 'Appy' faces as the first course developed apps hit the Windows 8 App store later this year. For more information on computing courses at SRC log on to www.src.ac.uk for the full online prospectus."
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Bishop John McAreavey recently celebrated mass with the year 12 pupils at St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Newry to give thanks and gratitude for their time at the school, as well as reflecting on the future pathways that they would be involved with.
During his visit Bishop McAreavey took time to chat to pupils and staff as he visited the newly refurbished Art department, met with the Pioneer Association, presented Pupil of the Week awards and offered his advice to the Student Support Council.
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Southern Regional College proudly hosted a Creativity and Enterprise Event on 27th March at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre.
The event, which was sponsored by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, included the launch of the BE Inspired programme, talks from leading industry professionals and a stunning catwalk show by SRC Hairdressing and Beauty students from Newry to highlight creativity in practice.
The event focused on helping young people develop entrepreneurial mindsets to become more creative and more confident, giving them the knowledge to turn their creativity into a fully functional business model. The launch of the BE Inspired project added to this by promoting business enterprise and entrepreneurship for adults with intellectual disabilities in a way that is both innovative and inspiring.
John Quinn, Director of Workforce Development and External Relations at SRC said: “In today’s world where businesses face not only local competition but also competitors from across the globe, it is critical that we make full use of our natural resources. Our best resource is our people with their inherent talents and abilities. Today’s event has convinced me even more of this: we have creative hairdressing and beauty students; creative artists and designers; creative individuals who aspire to be entrepreneurs and to start their own businesses; creative educators and creative techies. Support for enterprise and creativity is available from many sources including the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, funders of today’s event; the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment; the Department of Education; and, the Department for Employment & Learning and well as Craigavon Borough Council and other local councils, local enterprise agencies and of course Southern Regional College. Go for it!”
For a full list of all the creative courses offered by SRC log on to www.src.ac.uk or visit your local campus today to pick up a prospectus.
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Pupils from St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Newry have got involved in a new cycle club at school to promote physical well-being and improve road safety.
Extended School’s coordinator Mr Brendan Fearon expressed his deep gratitude to Bridge End Bikes for their tremendous support with the project by benevolently donating free helmets and cycle equipment as well as providing the bicycles with significant discount.
This will ensure that as many pupils can benefit from the project as possible.
Mr Brendan O’Hare from Bridge End Bikes explained, that further to the provision of cycling resources, he would be offering pupils free cycling safety equipment once they visit the bike store. Cycle club leader Mr David Nolan explained that the new after school programme would encourage safer cycling in the community and result in greater awareness of the rules of the road.
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Pupils from St. Louis Grammar School Kilkeel, St. Columban’s College Kilkeel, St. Mark’s High School Warrenpoint, St. Mary’s High School Newry, St. Colman’s College Newry, St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Newry High School, St. Paul’s High School Bessbrook, Newtownhamilton High School, St. Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen, Our Lady’s Grammar School Newry and the Sacred Heart Grammar School Newry recently attended a School’s Partnership Programme Open Day at Newry Campus of the Southern Regional College (SRC). School Principals and staff were also present.
The event was opened by Sean McNally, acting School’s Partnership Programme (SPP) Coordinator, who welcomed everyone to the event and Lorraine McKeown, Head of Marketing, Communications & Student Recruitment who gave a short presentation on courses available at SRC.
Robert Megarity, SPP Coordinator, introduced four former pupils from Newry schools who are currently undertaking courses in SRC. The students gave short presentations on their experience at the College and their future aspirations.
Sonia Kasak, a former St. Mary’s High School pupil currently undertaking a HND course in Engineering gave an overview of studies and spoke about her plans to go on to university.
Ciara McParland, a former St. Paul’s High School pupil presently studying a BTEC Level 3 in Art and Design at SRC discussed her plans to study for a degree in Photography at Preston.
Cristin Kennedy, a former St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School pupil studying a BTEC Level 3 Construction is aiming for Environmental Planning at Queen’s University Belfast.
Gary McShane, a former St. Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen pupil, undertaking a Foundation Degree in IT at SRC spoke about how studying for a degree at home was a big advantage in terms of finances and balancing his part time work commitments.
If you would like to find out more about the School’s Partnership Programme or any courses available at SRC call 0845 604 0033 or log on to www.src.ac.uk
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St Joseph's Boys High School Newry recently hosted a Jazz and Rap workshop
St Joseph ’s junior wind band had the opportunity to jam along with world class musicians in a music work shop last week.
Musicians Soweto Kinch and David Lyttle showed off their skills in a JAZZ and RAP music work shop.
This project was part of ‘Brilliant Corners’, a festival of Jazz in Northern Ireland, running from the 26th to the 29th of March. The musicians took time out of their busy schedule to spend time working with St Joseph's music students.
Soweto is a Jazz Rapper from London and he showed his Rapping skills, and also played the Saxophone and Piano.
David Lyttle is an Irish Jazz drummer and song writer who has recently launched his ‘hip hop/soul album. Mrs Sharon Byrne (Music Head of Department) thanked Paula McHugh from ‘Moving on Music’ for making this event possible.
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With the help of the Pioneer Association, four St Joseph's pupils surprised their mothers with flowers and chocolates as part of Mothers Day.
The pupils won a competition organised by the Pioneer Association and had the chance to present their mums with wonderful gifts.
The pupils involved were: Caoilim McKay, Oisin Brennan, Peter Haughy and Martin Hanrahan.
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