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Pet Connection visited the Year 8 science club in St Colman’s College on Monday 23rd January.
The J1 pupils had the opportunity to observe and touch a variety of animals including rabbits, birds, spiders and various reptiles.
Pupil also learned about the habitats, breeding and nutrition of the animals from expert Anne of Pet Connection.
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Bishop Mc Areavey celebrated the Annual ‘Leavers Mass’ with Year 14 pupils at Saint Mary's High School.
The Mass celebrated the many achievements of the students and the contribution they make to life in the school.
At the end of Mass Saint Mary's Head Girl, Judith McCartan presented Bishop McAreavey with a small gift as a token of appreciation from the students and staff.
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In an effort to get young drivers to take more care and responsibility on the roads, students from St Paul’s High School Newry, St Marys High School, Newry, Sacred Heart, Newry, St Marks High School, Warrenpoint, St Colmans, Newry, St Josephs High School, Crossmaglen, Southern Regional College, Newry, Kilkeel High School, Newry High School, Newtownhamilton High School, Abbey Grammar and St Louis, Kilkeel attended a hard-hitting Police Road Safety Roadshow at St Paul’s High School yesterday.
Recognising that road-users under 25 years of age are most at risk of killing or seriously injuring themselves or others on our roads, the award winning 'It Could be You' Roadshow, which is supported by AXA Insurance and Amey, aims to positively influence those drivers who are about to start out on what will hopefully be a long and safe motoring career.
Roads Policing Officer, Constable Bill Holden explained: “The key to reducing the number of young people killed and seriously injured on our roads is education.
"We are extremely pleased that so many schools from across the area support the Roadshow concept. This show gives us an incredible opportunity to deliver a challenging message which graphically illustrates the dangers young motorists can face, how quickly things can go wrong and how lives can be shattered.”
The Roadshow, which so far, as been seen by over 100,000 teenagers across Northern Ireland, graphically depicts how a night out can end in tragedy and permanent disability.
The story is told by a police officer, a paramedic, a fire officer, an Accident and Emergency consultant, a representative of a victim support group and the real life story of a young woman, who was paralysed following a horrific collision. The narrative is interspersed with music, video clips and television and cinema advertisements.
Constable Holden added: "I have no doubt that those who attend the Roadshow are shocked, perhaps even horrified by what they see. We make no apology for that.
"We believe that showing realistically what happens on our roads has a strong impact on the students who attend. I hope that after seeing the Roadshow they realise that they are not indestructible; that they are more vulnerable on the roads and that they must respect the roads and other road users."
Louise Holt, Manager of AXA Insurance's Hill Street branch in Newry, and official sponsors of the Roadsafe Roadshow series, commented: "As one of the largest insurance groups in Europe we deal with hundreds of claims every week as a result of traffic collisions.
"The effects are well documented - too many people are being killed on our roads or are being injured for life. Young people are particularly over-represented. They must begin to acknowledge that road accidents don't just happen.
"AXA Insurance has a strong commitment to road safety through its sponsorship of the Roadsafe Roadshows and we hope that young people will learn from this event, think twice about the seriousness of safety when driving and realise the real consequences of taking risks on the road."
David Kerr, Amey’s principal construction manager said: “Amey manages and maintains 125km of strategic roads in Northern Ireland; therefore road safety is a key concern for us. We are proud to support the Roadsafe Roadshow as it encourages young drivers to take more responsibility on the road, helping to make our roads safer. This is the third year we have sponsored Roadshows in Newry, Mourne and Banbridge and it’s the latest in a series of road safety initiatives we’ve supported recently, including funding 10 school pupils through an advanced driving course and working in partnership with the PSNI to promote driving safely in winter to motorists on our network.”
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Northern Ireland’s Colleges which include the SRC held a two-day workshop in Templepatrick on improving support for College students and prospective students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities.
David Meade opened the 2-day conference with a presentation ‘Being Different In Further Education’
The workshop is part of the ‘Delivering Excellence’ Programme funded by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL). The Special Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (SLDD) Project supports Colleges in working with key stakeholders, including the Middletown Centre for Autism, SHSCT, to advance the professional development of College staff and ensure appropriate support, training and specialist advice is available to College students and prospective students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities.
The two day workshop was held at the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick, on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th February 2012.
The workshop examined a range of issues, and the training and resources required to support the continued development of provision for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Key themes included:
· Inclusive Curriculum for students with learning difficulties and or disabilities;
· Transition to and from Further Education
· Assistive technology;
· Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults in Further Education
· Mental Health Issues for Students with complex needs
· Autistic Spectrum and Complex Issues
· Increasing Life Opportunities for people with developmental disabilities
Colleges Northern Ireland Chief Executive Gerry Campbell said that the SLDD Project highlights the commitment of the Colleges to addressing the needs of students with learning difficulties or disabilities and ensuring that staff have the skills they need to provide that support.
Mr Campbell said “Colleges provide enormous opportunities for thousands of learners every year. This project is a vital part of their commitment to provide equal access and support for each and every student.
“This event will shape the development of best practice in our colleges and approaches to professional training for staff. It will also impact on future funding plans to improve Learning Support and Discrete Services at Colleges in line with the Department for Employment and Learning targets.”
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Celebrating 40 Years of Service to St Mary's A celebratory luncheon is held to congratulate Marion McAteer on 40 years service in St Mary's.
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Mark Mc Evoy (Dromara) a pupil at Saint Colman's College was awarded three major prizes at the Big Bang Fair held at the National Exhibition Centre Birmingham.
Mark’s route to success began in June 2011 at the Odyssey Arena Belfast when he won the Senior Engineering prize at the Northern Ireland Regional finals of the Young Engineers / Young Innovators competition with his AS Design and Technology Project the ‘Multi – Lift’.
The prize included the opportunity to compete at the National Science and Engineering Competition finals in the NEC Birmingham 2012 against the best young designers and engineers in the UK.
Mark’s product the ‘Multi – Lift’ was designed to be easily and quickly attached to the front loader of a tractor. Once fitted the operator can hydraulically control a jib with an offset hook to lift and position 500 KG bags of fertilizer without the need to leave the cab. The product is designed for use in an agricultural or construction environment and is extremely versatile enabling it to lift a variety of common loads.
Mark’s initial research into the problem highlighted the commercial potential of such a product. His design work was developed using CAD and the final prototype manufactured in the College Design and Technology workshop.
The ‘Multi- Lift’ has been constructed from heavy gauge box section mild steel incorporating reinforcement steel plate features manufactured using a plasma cutter.
The judges at the NEC were very impressed with the concept of the ‘Multi – Lift’ and in particular Mark’s ability to convey his ideas and demonstrate the final product in use with a DVD. Judges also remarked on the depth to which Mark researched into the forces and loadings the product is exposed to in use. Visitors to the exhibition commented on the impressive presentation of Mark’s display of design work and the high quality shop finish of the ‘Multi – Lift’.
At the award ceremony Mark was awarded the following prizes:
The Royal Academy of Engineering Senior 1st Prize, £500 and a visit to Imperial College London to see the latest advances in engineering techniques such as neuro imaging and materials science.
Runner up in the Senior Engineering stream of the National Science and Engineering Competition (second place in UK). Plus £700.
Young Engineers for Britain Award for Craftsmanship and £250.
JCB UK representatives at the awards also expressed an interest in Mark and the potential of the ‘Multi – Lift’ and will be in further discussion.
The Design and Technology department at St. Colman’s congratulated Mark on his achievement. This high standard of commitment and achievement continues to inspire students to study Design and Technology at the College.
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Southern Regional College sent their largest ever team of 31 trainees to the recent two day Skillbuild Regional Finals event and returned with an unprecedented 17 awards.
The competition pits the best young talents in a range of construction trades against all of the other Regional Colleges and Training Organisations across Northern Ireland.
The Southern Regional College trainees picked up 14 skill area awards, The Skillbuild Best Young Apprentice Award, Skillbuild Chairpersons Cup (most competitors to qualify for the regional finals) and the DEL Cup (winners of the medals league table).
John Morgan from Newry who won gold in Floor and Wall Tiling was also awarded the prestigious Best Overall SkillBuild NI Apprentice.
Southern Regional College, Head of School of Construction and the Built Environment, Lindsay Bronte, said “This is an outstanding success for the SRC student and staff and it was great to see the students achieving this level of success. The standard of the competitions is clearly improving year on year. This success provides a great platform for the young people to go further and represent NI in the UK competitions later in the year and hopefully on the World Skills in Leipzig in 2013. This success will also gain them an edge in the very competitive jobs market.”
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Skill Area |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
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Cabinet Making |
Mindaugas Kriciala – (N) lives Newry |
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Electrical Installation |
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Conal Molloy (N) lives Castlewellan |
Kyle Nesbitt (P) lives Armagh |
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Industrial Heating |
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John Herron (N) |
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Joinery |
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William Megaw (N) lives Newry |
Alexander Gordon (N) lives Kilkeel |
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Lead Sheetwork |
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Neil Byrne (N)lives Newry |
Brendan McCusker (N) lives Newry |
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Plumbing Pipework |
Gary Doyle (N) lives Castlewellan |
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Shane Brannigan (N) lives Newry |
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Floor & Wall Tiling |
John Morgan (N) lives Newry |
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Painting & Decorating |
Ryan O’Gorman (N) lives Newry |
Jamie McEvoy (N) lives Newry |
Brendan Magee (N) lives Newry |
Key – Campus of Study (N) Newry, (P) Portadown
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Southern Regional College students stepped out in style on Friday night at the second annual Charity ‘Fresher Fashion Show' as part of Newry Style City Week.
The Show, which was hosted at SRC's Newry Campus, saw students, lecturers and local employers come together for a glittering occasion in aid of "Friends of Cancer Centre" and “Action Cancer”.
The audience were treated to goody bags with money off vouchers and numerous spot prizes as well as delicious refreshments prepared by the award winning Hospitality Department at the College.
Students modelled garments by Silk, Berling, Posh, Exhibit, Internacionale, Debenhams, Sharleen McCaffrey, River Island, DV8, Primark, New Look, Miss Selfridge, NV Gino, Jack Jones, Blue Inc, Quiz, Bloomin Bridal and an exciting array of creative designs from talented former SRC students.
Compere for the evening was Marietta Doran of RTE and Channel 4 fame where she’s a regular commentator on fashion at all the glamorous meetings in the horseracing calendar. Marietta has emerged as one of Ireland's hottest fashion stylists. Her fashion nous has also resulted in commissions from the Irish Independent newspaper's Weekender Magazine. Marietta was also a regular contributor to the RTE primetime fashion programme ‘Off the Rails’ where her style and expertise proved a huge hit with viewers.”
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Saint Colman's College pupils certainly got their fair share of the Silverware from Newry Musical Feis with wins in the Woodwind Ensemble, String Quartet, Boys Solo, Plain song and Choir sections. One of the solo winners was Conor McGlone who came first in the Boys Solo class for those aged between 12 and 16.
The musical future of the College certainly looks in safe hands.
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