Category: Stranmillis News

Following a successful outing in September 2023 to Stranmillis University College, RSPB were delighted to return. On this occasion it was for a Dawn Chorus morning. The College Campus is situated in forty-six acres of mature mixed woodland habitat in South Belfast. The invitation was extended to Stranmillis Lifelong Learning students and as a result the event was well over-subscribed. It was decided that, with such a large group, an expert guide was required, so Dot Blakely, a well-known local birding expert, accepted an invitation to lead the outing.  All images are courtesy Greg McCready, Stranmillis University College Art and Design Technician, who acted as co-ordinator for the College for this shared event.

Greg guided the group slowly up the exit car route known locally as Cardiac Hill. A particular highlight occurred almost immediately as Greg pointed out the three Grey Heron nests. This site has been part of the annual BTO Heronries Census for many years. Greg surveys the site each spring which provides valuable information to the Ireland census. We stopped for some time to watch the Grey Herons fly in to feed their young chicks.

At the top of the hill, on our left was Stranmillis House, a Victorian listed building, and to our right the start of the new Centenary Nature Trail which had been especially commissioned and designed for the College Centenary. Although this was primarily a birding outing, it would have been difficult to ignore the abundance of spring wildflowers. There was in particular a grassy bank covered extensively with primrose. The wood anemone and three-cornered garlic provided a white carpet of flowers underneath the woodland trees.

Thanks to Mel and Greg for organising another outing to Stranmillis University College Campus, enabling attendees to explore this very special, unique space. Huge thanks go to Dot Blakely for so willingly giving up her time to share her knowledge and expertise, making the outing such an enjoyable and engaging morning for everyone.  The full story, written by RSPB, can be viewed via the following link: https://group.rspb.org.uk/belfast/news-blogs/blog/rspb-belfast-local-group-dawn-chorus-outing-at-stranmillis-university-college-13-april-2024/

The annual UCAS event held recently at EIKON Exhibition Centre was attended by Stranmillis University College as well as representatives from universities from all parts of the UK.  It was a great opportunity for Stranmillis staff to meet prospective new students and chat about career options and opportunities. Students were able to explore ‘life on campus’ using large, interactive digital screens and discover more about ‘uni life’ and courses; they were able to talk to staff about available options and Halls accommodation.

 

  

The official launch of ‘The Stranmillis Story 1992 – 2022: A Century of Student Voices’ written by former Stranmillis University College Principal, Professor Anne Heaslett, was a joyous occasion. Professor Jonathan Heggarty, the current Principal, warmly welcomed special guests, friends, and alumni to the launch. The event provided an opportunity for colleagues and friends to reflect on this milestone and engaging stories of countless students who have contributed to the tapestry of Stranmillis. The book includes evocative first-hand accounts of the experiences of individual students who have passed through the college gates. It’s heart-warming to celebrate a century of student voices and the transformative impact of education at Stranmillis. The book is available to purchase through the SHOP https://www.stran.ac.uk/product-category/merchandise/

   

   

Dr Melanie McKee, senior lecturer in PE and Sport at Stranmillis University College, recently attended the Ireland & UK Physical Literacy Forum (IUKPLF) which was kindly hosted by Sport Wales at their National Centre in Cardiff on Friday 15^th March, 2024.

The aim of the IUKPLF is to promote the concept of physical literacy and a culture which values the development of physical literacy for all. It advocates the integration of physical literacy into research, policy and practice. Therefore, it encourages collaboration within and between groups and sectors that develop physical literacy.

The Forum currently comprises key representatives of the education and sport sectors from each of the 5 countries. Dr Melanie McKee attended as the education representative for Northern Ireland alongside Emma McMenamin from Sport Northern Ireland who represented the sport sector in Northern Ireland.

Melanie commented how ‘This IUKPLF was a collaborative opportunity for Emma and I to share the key developments in Northern Ireland following the launch of the All-Island Physical Literacy Consensus Statement in October 2022. Emma provided an update on the delivery of the Understanding Physical Literacy course as well as the creation of the Northern Ireland Physical Literacy Forum. I then highlighted the Active Schools pilot which was launched in January 2024 in partnership with Stranmillis University College and Fort Hill Integrated Primary School. The Active Schools ethos is to value and develop every child and young person’s physical literacy by creating a physically educated and physically active school community. Therefore, this pilot reinforces the education sector’s aspiration to contribute to the strategic development of all children’s physical literacy. Disseminating this pilot via the IUKPLF was especially valuable as many of the other representatives offered insights and advice based on their experiences of the Active Schools concept in their respective countries.’     

This year’s first Forum meeting was chaired by Clare Roberts (Sport Wales) and attended by: Dr Nalda Wainwright (Wales Academy for Health & Physical Literacy); Emma McMenamin (Sport Northern Ireland); Dr Melanie McKee (Stranmillis University College); Emma Mackenzie-Hogg (Youth Sport Trust); Charlie Crane (Sport England); Sheelagh Quinn (Sport Ireland); Aoife O’Mahoney (PE Association for Ireland); Mairi McLaughlin (Sport Scotland); and Paddy Cuthbertson (Scottish Association of Teachers of PE).

Stranmillis University College was delighted to welcome the United States Department of State Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs , Joseph P Kennedy III, as the Keynote speaker for the inaugural Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture.

The Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture at Stranmillis was established to honour the legacy of our esteemed and greatly missed late colleague – one of the pre-eminent historians of our time, with a unique ability to bring history to life, and an educator whose unwavering dedication to fostering innovative teaching approaches, promoting critical thinking, and nurturing a vibrant intellectual environment left an indelible mark on colleagues, students and Northern Ireland society as a whole.

Speaking at the Lecture, Principal and CEO of SUC, Professor Jonathan Heggarty, said: “It is a mark of Dr Éamon Phoenix’s reputation and respect that we are thrilled to welcome the US Special Envoy  as our Keynote speaker for this inaugural event. Education has, and continues to be, a passion for Joe Kennedy III, not just in words, but in positive action through driving policy reform and plans for education that addresses each step along a child’s path; through promoting early childhood learning that prevents the achievement gap; continually advocating for universal proficiency and dynamic innovation in the classroom; and ensuring higher education is accessible to all. Themes and actions that would resonate strongly with Dr Éamon Phoenix.”

In his keynote speech, ‘Education as a Catalyst for Economic Progress’, the Envoy spoke passionately about educational disadvantage, early years education, the need for educational innovation and education as the foundation and cornerstone of economic prosperity:  “No one doubts the role of education as the catalyst of economic progress. It’s self-evident in a world growing increasingly interdependent through technology and increasingly reliant on the products of research labs and institutes to develop heat-resistant crops, more efficient appliances, smarter grids and genome-altering medical advances.”

“It all begins with education. Northern Ireland has one of the most highly educated work-forces in the world. The talent here has drawn investments from over 230 U.S. firms who now employ over 30,000 workers. Northern Ireland is the number one destination for cyber-security investments in Europe. Innovations in AI, genome-sequencing, film industry CGI and aerospace are reaching everywhere from the River Foyle in Derry to the docksides of Belfast.”

“I would be remiss not to mention when learning begins: at birth.  Research shows us repeatedly the dramatic impact of early childhood education not only on education attainment, but on economic opportunity, as well. Access to early education sets children up to be ready for primary school, improves early literacy, and is critical to a child’s social-emotional development. It directly contributes to a higher likelihood of completing secondary school and advancing to higher education. The early years are when we learn how to work with others, make critical decisions, and relate to each other: all skills needed not only in the classroom, but in the workplace as well. It also builds stronger communities. Access to early education not only sets children up to thrive, but it also provides families with greater financial security. When children are in care, parents can work; student parents can achieve degrees. Early education is perhaps the best investment in education – and economic opportunity for families – that we can make.”

“And it is where Northern Ireland has a chance to stand apart.  You want to keep that young talent from going to London or Boston?  Provide those young parents access to affordable childcare.  You want to get more caregivers back into the workforce?  Provide more access to affordable childcare.  You want to build the earning capacity of young couples?  Provide more access to affordable childcare.  You want to increase opportunities for integrated education?  Provide more access to affordable childcare.  You want to increase the prospects of peace and prosperity?  Provide more access for affordable childcare.”

“Why?  Because kids are kids.  In all of my travels to almost every corner of our world, I have yet to find a child where if you don’t throw a ball to them they won’t throw it back.  Kids laugh and play.  They don’t know how to hurt or hate.  Their wants and needs are the simple, basic things that unite us all.”

“That is, of course, the great lesson that Northern Ireland teaches the world.  A lesson that Dr. Phoenix knew well, and that has certainly taken hold of me.  That despite our differences and divides, our future is shared.  Our prosperity is linked.  That there is, in fact, only one path forward — together.  It’s a lesson demonstrated again last evening, and one, I’m certain, that would have Dr Phoenix cheering.”

The inaugural lecture was also addressed by Dr Jayne Brady MBE, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, who paid a heartfelt tribute to the work and impact Éamon Phoenix made to so many on the island; a fascinating lecture on Partition and Education Policy divergence in the 1920s by Prof. Noel Purdy (Stranmillis) and Dr Tom Walsh (Maynooth University); and closing remarks from Éamon’s wife Alice, including an announcement on the creation of the Éamon Phoenix Foundation.