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Category: Stranmillis News

Five Staff at SCoTENS Conference

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From left: Dr William Kitchen, Dr Noel Purdy, Denise Elliott, Dr Benda McKay-Redmond, Dr Barbara McConnell

Five members of Stranmillis staff attended the 17th annual SCoTENS conference held on 17-18 October 2019 in the beautiful surroundings of the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, County Cavan.
This year’s theme was “Leadership Across Boundaries: Challenges for Educators and Teacher Educators”, a theme which resonated with delegates given the pressures and challenges resulting from the widening diversity of student needs, increasing accountability, performance management, reducing budgets and a prescriptive policy context.

Almost 100 delegates attended from all over the island of Ireland, and were welcomed by Dr Noel Purdy (Stranmillis University College – northern co-chair) and by Mr Ian McKenna, International Cooperation Section, Department of Education and Skills (funding department) who commended the outstanding work of SCoTENS.

There were two outstanding keynote addresses: by Professor Marilyn Cochran-Smith, Cawthorne Professor of Teacher Education for Urban Schools, Boston College; and by Professor Paul Miller, Head of the School of Education and Professor of Educational Leadership and Social Justice, University of Greenwich.

This year for the first time there were also research presentations following a ‘call for papers’. This attracted a wide range of insightful presentations by researchers from north and south of the border, leading to stimulating questions and discussions.

The conference also featured the third annual doctoral roundtable where ten doctoral students were given an opportunity to present their ongoing research work and receive informal feedback from their peers and SCoTENS committee members.

On Thursday evening Professor Cochran-Smith launched a newly published book on ‘Teacher Preparation in Northern Ireland: History, Policy and Future Directions’ authored by Dr Sean Farren (UU), Professor Linda Clarke (UU) and Dr Teresa O’Doherty (Marino Institute of Education). This was followed by the presentation of this year’s John Coolahan Award by Professor Miller to Lorraine Harbison (DCU) and Shauna McGill (UU) for their seed funded report on ‘Universal Design for Learning as a Context for Embedding technology in Primary School Mathematics’. At the close of the conference dinner, Mr Andy Pollak, founding Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies, launched the 2018 SCoTENS Annual Report.

The final session of the conference was a Panel Discussion chaired by Dr Conor Galvin featuring both keynote speakers as well as invited guests: Sam Gallaher (Chief Executive of the GTCNI), Dr Margaret O’Donovan (UCC), Lady Rosemary Salisbury (Freelance Educational and Commercial Training Consultant) and Dr Joe Moynihan (UCC).

In his closing remarks, Dr Noel Purdy (northern co-chair) paid tribute to outgoing southern co-chair Prof Kathy Hall (UCC) and thanked her for her dedication, professionalism and commitment during her three years in office. He announced that the incoming southern co-chair would be Dr Maria Campbell, St Angela’s College, Sligo.

For further information about the conference including photos and recordings of the main sessions, please go to the SCoTENS website www.scotens.org
To read more about the removal of funding to SCoTENS by the northern government departments, please see the BBC news article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-50144561

Hazelwood Integrated College welcomes the Children’s Commissioner for their Daily Mile launch during Psychology Week

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Hazelwood Integrated College is the first Post Primary school in NI to launch The Daily Mile. 220 Year 8 pupils ran with the Children’s Commissioner, members of the Northern Ireland British Psychological Society, school Principal Máire Thompson, Maria Robb, Pastoral Care Co-ordinator, and members of TDM Network NI.

As part of Psychology Week, over 4,000 children across schools in Northern Ireland took part in The Daily Mile on this day, running or walking one mile as part of an initiative to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of school children.

The Daily Mile (TDM) is a simple and free initiative for schools and nurseries, encouraging children to run or jog at their own pace for just 15 minutes every day, outside with their friends. Research has found that this exercise in a natural outdoor environment can rapidly improve self-esteem, relieve stress and anxiety and increase children’s overall happiness.

More than 9,500 schools are already registered for The Daily Mile in over 60 countries. Northern Ireland has 371 schools (30% of all schools) currently registered, but Hazelwood Integrated College is the first post-primary school in Northern Ireland to sign up to The Daily Mile with help from TDM Network NI members.

The Daily Mile Network NI consists of members from Stranmillis University College, Ulster University, St Mary’s University College, Public Health Agency, Health and Social Care Trusts, Sustrans, Education Authority and the Northern Ireland British Psychological Society.

Stranmillis ECS lecturer Dr Brenda McKay Redmond, who is Chair of the Daily Mile Network and a representative on the TDM Research Advisory Group in London said:

“It is important to have adult role models doing TDM with children to show inclusiveness and the encouragement of the development of children’s relationships with their friends. It is about fun, freedom, fitness, improving health and wellbeing and being outside in the fresh air.”

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Koulla Yiasouma said:

“The benefits of the Daily Mile go far beyond staying physically healthy. Older children can buddy up with younger kids, helping to build community. It’s a great social activity for children to bond with their peers in a safe environment and it definitely helps concentration. It’s really positive that so many schools and clubs already take part in the Daily Mile and I hope that today encourages even more to get involved.”

Prof. Nichola Rooney, Northern Ireland Chair of the British Psychological Society commented:

“The Daily Mile is a fantastic initiative as it is fully inclusive – every child, whatever their circumstances, age or ability can succeed at The Daily Mile. It also instils constructive habits from a young age which will continue to generate positive behaviour as the child develops. The Daily Mile research report finds that children feel happier, more awake and calmer after completing the one-mile challenge. On self-assessment questionnaires, children’s self-esteem, wellbeing and satisfaction all improved. These skills are essential skills that will ultimately help children’s ability to learn. We’re thrilled to be organising Northern Ireland’s first ‘Daily Mile Post Primary School’ as part of Psychology Week in association with TDM Network NI and our hope is that this is the beginning of a province-wide daily activity that will help children perform at their best every single day.”

Those wishing to follow in the “footsteps” of Hazelwood Integrated College, please register your school with www.thedailymile.co.uk .

For further advice and guidance contact TDM Network NI by e-mailing Brenda at b.mckayredmond@stran.ac.uk.

Lydia Scoops Stranmillis/ GTCNI Prize

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The winner of the 2018-19 Stranmillis University College/GTCNI Education Studies Prize was Miss Lydia Nabi, from Glenlola Collegiate Grammar School, Bangor.

The set essay title asked Year 13 students: ‘What have your years as a pupil taught you about effective teaching and learning?’ Lydia’s essay particularly impressed the judging panel as it demonstrated deep reflection and understanding of teaching and learning from the pupil’s perspective.

You can read Lydia’s essay here:Stranmillis Essay Competition

The prize of £200, kindly sponsored by the GTCNI, was presented to Lydia at Glenlola Collegiate’s prize distribution on Friday 13th September, by Mr Sam Gallaher, Registrar of the GTCNI.

Lydia hopes to develop a career in education.

Pictured from left to right are: Mr Sam Gallaher, Registrar GTCNI; Miss Lydia Nabi prize-winner; Dr Frances Burgess, Stranmillis Education Studies coordinator; and Mrs Emma Graham Head of English, Glenlola Collegiate.

Stranmillis Student Secures Place on US Scholarship Programme

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Stranmillis student Samuel Curry is off to study in the USA this month.

He will be among 54 students from across Northern Ireland on British Council’s prestigious Study USA programme, which enables students to study business or STEM subjects for a year in American colleges, across 34 States, helping to develop their career prospects when they return to Northern Ireland.

The 20-year-old is a former student of Rainey Endowed Grammar School in Magherafelt. Instead of entering Year 3 of his BEd degree in Teacher Education (Primary) at Stranmillis, Sam will spend his year at the University of Indianapolis.

Sam is excited to be part of the programme. He said: “I decided to take part in Study USA as the skills and leadership qualities acquired from studying business will help develop desirable managerial and leadership qualities, which I can then put to good use in schools in years to come. I am most excited about meeting new people, learning about a different culture and getting involved in a local church. I just cannot wait to get started.”

The British Council, which is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, manages Study USA on behalf of the Department for the Economy. Since its formation in 1994, the initiative has sent over 2000 students from Northern Ireland to all four corners of the United States where they have successfully completed a year studying.

Also speaking about the programme was Jonathan Stewart, Director, British Council Northern Ireland, who said: “I am confident that the students departing for the US this year will be great ambassadors for Northern Ireland and will help to further important long-term links and connections between the two countries. Through Study USA, students will have the opportunity to not only enhance their employability skills but also develop intercultural skills, which will help them to prepare to work in a global economy. We wish them every success, and trust that new connections and friendships will be developed in the year ahead.”

Study USA is just one of many international opportunities available through British Council Northern Ireland. For more information visit http://nireland.britishcouncil.org , email opportunity@britishcouncil.org or follow on Twitter BCouncil_NI or Facebook.

Applications for Study USA 2020/21 will open in late Autumn.

Tor Bank Work Experience 2019

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This year we were delighted again to welcome three sixth form students from Tor Bank Special School to Stranmillis. Each Tuesday morning Kirsty, Lewis and Reuben gained valuable skills and made many friends, accompanied and supported by Mrs Mary Hull from Tor Bank.

Kirsty worked with Kate and Yvonne serving customers in Betty’s coffee shop; Lewis helped deliver the mail and arrange classroom furniture as part of the portering team with Darren, William and James; and Reuben became part of the gardening team working closely with Niall.

All three students really enjoyed their time working at Stranmillis and quickly became part of the Stran community. Several members of College staff were delighted to be able to attend the school’s end of year leaving celebration.

Dr Noel Purdy, who arranges the work experience each year, commented, “Again this year we would like to thank our three wonderful students from Tor Bank – Kirsty, Lewis and Reuben – for all their hard work. We greatly value our partnership with Tor Bank and wish them every success in the future.”

Andrea Looks Back … and Forward.

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Andrea Magee graduated in 2011 with a BEd (Primary) degree. Below she looks back at her time at Stran, she explains how her teaching career has taken her from Belfast to Finland and to Switzerland, and she flags up an up-coming conference in Athens.

‘I always wanted to be a teacher – when I was very young I used to line up my teddy bears and ‘teach’ them on my toy blackboard! I used to tell them to be quiet! I loved school as a child and I loved learning, so it seemed like a natural progression for me to become a teacher, and I was over the moon when I got into Stranmillis.

Little did I know at the time that my goal to become a teacher wasn’t ‘achieved’ as such – the journey had only just begun. To become a teacher is a never-ending journey. As I remember being told at Stranmillis, as teachers we are the ultimate role models as lifelong learners. In order to enable learning to take place, we need to lead by example and remain open and curious to new learning opportunities ourselves.

My favourite memories from Stranmillis were those courses and modules which I chose for myself, through which I felt fundamental joy as a learner. I rarely thought of myself as a teacher when I was training at Stranmillis, but now I see how it shaped me to become the teacher and learner that I am today.

Stranmillis opened unimaginable doors that ended up shaping my career in ways I could never have dreamed of! During my third year, I spent an Erasmus exchange semester in Turku, Finland, with the help of the wonderful staff from the College’s International Office. It was a requirement to write a blog at the time, detailing my personal and professional development. II found this a lot of hard work, but in the end I found it so rewarding and fulfilling to have that blog to look back on that I’ve written several other blogs since!

That Erasmus semester completely changed my life. After graduating from Stranmillis, I returned to Finland where I studied for my Master’s in ‘Learning, Learning Environments and Educational Systems’. I met my now husband during my exchange; he is Swiss, and that’s what eventually led me to move to Switzerland, where I now teach. I teach in a bilingual international school in Zug, Switzerland. The children in my 2nd Grade class are 7-8 years old, and I also have the role of ‘Support Intervention Coordinator, through which I support children from 1st to 6th grade (aged 6-12).

In my spare time, I have recently co-founded a non-profit organization with other educator friends working abroad called ‘Embrace Joy in Education’ (emJoy education). We organise events through which we aim to bring teachers together and create a community of support and inspiration that will lead to joyful learning for all.

I host a monthly meet-up in Switzerland called the ‘edupat exchange’, when teachers and anyone passionate about education can meet, discuss and exchange ideas at the local library. We also have emJoy seminars in Helsinki and our biggest event coming up is a conference in Athens in October called the ‘Joyful Festival of Education’.