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Category: Stranmillis News

New Digital Skills Academy empowers Stranmillis students for classrooms of tomorrow

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

On Tuesday 26 May 2025, final year student teachers from Stranmillis University College became the first cohort to take part in a newly launched Digital Skills Academy course, delivered through the Centre for Digital Innovation and Technology (CDIT).  

This initiative marks a significant step in a collaborative effort between further and higher education providers and industry partners across Northern Ireland to enhance digital skills training. 

Developed in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College as part of the Belfast Digital Skills and Employability Programme—funded by Bank of America—the academy focuses on equipping future educators with the digital competencies necessary for modern classrooms.  

The programme also aligns with the NI Executive’s educational reform strategy, ‘A Fair Start’, which emphasises the importance of training teachers in digital skills to combat educational underachievement. 

Leading the programme for Stranmillis, Head of STEM, Dr Irene Bell said “Stranmillis University College is delighted to be delivering the first course for ITE students of the CDIT Digital Skills Academy. Through this advanced, accredited course, the newly qualified teachers will be ideally positioned to develop the digital skills of the next generation.”  

Among the inaugural participants were Amy Elliott, a final year student in Post-Primary Religious Studies, and Rachel Dunbar, studying Primary Education. In explaining why the signed up to programme, both highlighted the importance of developing digital proficiency to meet the demands of contemporary teaching. 

Diane Atchison, CDIT Project Manager at Belfast Met, added: “I’m proud to collaborate with Stranmillis University College on launching this new CDIT Digital Skills Academy. It’s an important step in empowering future teachers to lead with confidence in the digital age.” 

Championing Outdoor Learning

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

Stranmillis Champions Outdoor Learning, Environmental Stewardship, and Food Growing for a Sustainable Future

The College, in partnership with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, and supported Energia’s Greener Possibilities fund and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a pioneering new outdoor learning and environmental education facility designed to prepare future teachers to lead the way in sustainability and climate education.

The new site—part of the innovative Generation Nature project—features a rich variety of outdoor learning spaces, including a mini orchard, polytunnel, fruit bushes, woodland area, group shelter, willow dome, wildflower meadow, and raised planting beds. These diverse habitats offer student teachers practical opportunities to engage with biodiversity, environmental protection, and food growing in a hands-on way.

The initiative is designed to boost teacher confidence in delivering climate and environmental education, a goal rooted in global research: a UNESCO study found that while 95% of teachers see climate education as important, less than 30% feel ready to teach it.

At Stranmillis, students across a range of teaching qualifications now have access to this dedicated site where they can put theory into practice. Annual nature awareness lectures will be followed up by outdoor sessions, giving students the tools to embed environmental themes across the curriculum in creative, subject-integrated ways.

Marking a first for the College, Stranmillis has committed to integrating nature awareness education into its core curriculum, making it a compulsory part of all teacher training pathways. This forward-thinking move positions the institution at the forefront of climate-conscious education in Northern Ireland.

As environmental challenges intensify globally, initiatives like Generation Nature offer a hopeful blueprint—empowering the next generation of educators to lead meaningful change from their own classrooms.

Speaking at the launch of the new facility, Prof. Jonathan Heggarty, Stranmillis University College Principal, said: “Outdoor learning is increasingly recognised as an important component of education—fostering creativity, hands-on engagement, environmental awareness and physical wellbeing, while also developing key life skills in young people. Stranmillis continues to provide educational leadership in this area, with our academic research, teaching, and scholarship in outdoor learning at both undergraduate and Masters levels helping shape educational practice and policy across Northern Ireland and beyond.

What sets the College apart is our commitment to turn research and theory into action. As Northern Ireland’s first designated eco-campus, we embed sustainability into many aspects of campus life. Initiatives such as our involvement in Forest Schools, the launch of the interactive Centenary Nature Trail, and the development of the Out and About outdoor learning resource reflect our dedication to nurturing environmentally conscious communities.

This new initiative, Generation Nature, takes that commitment even further. This innovative programme supports student educators with tools and training to integrate sustainability into the curriculum. A special focus on growing food—through school gardens, planting projects, and eco-friendly gardening practices—gives pupils first-hand experience of where food comes from, the importance of biodiversity, and the environmental impact of food systems.

Generation Nature will help tomorrow’s teachers reconnect with the natural world, fostering a sense of responsibility and hope for a more sustainable future—one seed, one lesson at a time.”

Stran Hosts VE80 Celebration

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

The 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day has been commemorated by a special event held ion the Stranmillis campus.  Organised by the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast and the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Northern Ireland (RFCA NI), supported by 38 (Irish) Brigade, the event included the firing of a Royal Gun Salute to mark the second anniversary of the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.  Traditionally held in Hillsborough Castle. This is the first time that a Royal Gun Salute has been held in Belfast since 1999, and a huge honour for the College

Over 150 guests representing a cross section of the local community watched the 21-gun salute and inspection of the guns, which was followed by a reception where guests we able to seea collection of displays of World War II artefacts supplied by the NI War Museum. The event concluded with theBand of the Royal Irish Regiment performing a Beating Retreat.

Thanking the participants and guests, The Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE DStJ DDL said, “Today’s event is a sensitive balance of reflection and celebration.  It commemorates enormous sacrifice and acknowledges the steadfast resilience of those who lived through World War II.  Indeed, it is a fitting tribute that we hold this event in Belfast which suffered so much especially during the Blitz.  And even more significant is the choice of Stranmillis University College as host venue which was repurposed as a military hospital from 1939-1944.”

“But this occasion also celebrates the peace and freedom afforded to us all as a result.  I am delighted that with our partners, RFCA NI, 38 (Irish) Brigade and Stranmillis University College, we have marked both VE80 day and Their Majesties’ Coronation in a collective spirit of remembrance and joy.”

A Marathon Effort

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

Congratulations to all our students, staff and friends of the Daily Mile Network NI for completing this year’s Belfast Marathon. Five relay teams took part, raising vital funds for The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity. A big thank you to not just the teams but to our dedicated team of student volunteers who supported the teams and other staff and friends who came out in the sunny weather to cheer and support the runners on Sunday.

The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity has a very close personal connection to one member of the team, whose  9 year old niece is currently undergoing treatment for a rare childhood cancer called rhabdomyosarcomaFaye is the most wonderful child with a zest for life and a truly amazing smile.

So far, the team’s marathon effort has raised over £3200 – a fantastic achievement and many thanks to everyone who has supported us to date. The team’s just giving page is still open for donations to support this very worthy charity in their mission to provide the best possible treatment for children, young people and their families, facing a cancer diagnosis.

A fantastic achievement! Well done to all our runners, volunteers and supporters.

https://www.justgiving.com/…/stranmillis-university…

End of an Era

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

Wednesday 30 April marked the end of an era as colleagues and students came together to wish Professor Ken Gibson a very happy retirement after 35 years of unwavering and dedicated service to the College. Ken is also a former Stran student, so when you add his student days here that’s almost 40 years!

As a lecturer, researcher and Director of Student and Learning Services, Ken has made an immense contribution to the lives of students, the reputation and life of the College, and the education sector as a whole, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Ken’s legacy however will continue. At the farewell event, the Stranmillis Students’ Union announced the creation of ‘The Gibson Cup’, which will be awarded to the graduating student deemed to have contributed the most to the Stranmillis community.
On behalf of all the staff, students and alumni who have had the pleasure of working with Prof. Gibson over the past 35 years, we wish Ken a long and very happy retirement!
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Design your own ‘active’ breaktime!

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

Fort Hill Integrated Primary School pupils work with BSc Physical Education and Sport students as part of ‘Active Schools’ pilot.

On Thursday 3 April, P6 pupils from Fort Hill Integrated Primary School were invited to Stranmillis University College for an event which involved the children designing and practicing their own breaktime games, under the guidance of final year students enrolled on the BSc PE & Sport degree. The P6 children were also asked to draw a picture illustrating their favourite activity which they created and would like to do in their school playground during breaktime.

Their wonderful ideas included agility ladders, obstacle courses, cheerleading and target games.

This creative and practical consultation with pupils is part of the Active Schools model designed by Dr Melanie McKee, a senior lecturer from Stranmillis University College, which is currently being piloted in collaboration with Simon Patterson, the principal of Fort Hill Integrated Primary School.
The pilot was launched January 2024 by Lady Mary Peters, and then followed by an update presentation in November 2024 which was attended by the Education Minister Mr Paul Givan MLA, Lady Mary Peters and Lord Mayor of Lisburn Mr Kurtis Dickson.

The aim of the Active Schools pilot is to assist with advocating for a strategic and sustainable, cross-departmental investment in an Active Schools programme for schools in Northern Ireland.

The idea of an Active School is that it values, promotes and develops every child’s physical literacy by creating a physically active school community. Hence, it will provide multiple opportunities to increase physical activity and develop physical literacy, for example, through active travel to/from school, active breaktimes, active play, active classrooms, active PE, active after-school clubs and active home learning.

Speaking about the event, which was organised in partnership with the University College’s Widening Participation programme, Dr Melanie McKee said “The children’s voice is central to the development and implementation of the model to ensure they participate in the decision-making, so it was great to have the P6 children on campus working with our final year students.  A big thank you to the final year BSc students, P6 teacher Miss Hawthorne and teaching assistant Miss Best  from Fort Hill Integrated Primary School, and Mrs Danielle Armstrong from the College’s Widening Participation and Community Engagement Team for all their help with this consultation.”