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Category: Stranmillis News

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.”

 

Queen’s and Stranmillis renew century-long partnership to enhance education in Northern Ireland

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

Queen’s University Belfast and Stranmillis University College have officially renewed their long-standing academic partnership, reaffirming a collaboration that is set to strengthen the education ecosystem in Northern Ireland.

Stranmillis, which delivers a range of education focused degree programmes, has had an academic relationship with Queen’s for over 100 years, and has been providing taught courses leading to degrees and other awards of Queen’s since it became a Recognised College of the University in 1968.

The updated Partnership Agreement between the two institutions strengthens and enhances their shared strategic vision centred on excellence—whether through delivering a comprehensive student experience, world-class teaching and research, or making a positive impact on society. This partnership will foster increased collaboration in both academic and extracurricular activities, enhancing Northern Ireland’s educational environment as a whole.

150 attendees from across the two institutions, students, education partners, community leaders and political leaders attended a special event at Stranmillis today (Monday 3 March), to celebrate the renewed partnership.

Queen’s President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, said:

“Today we celebrate and reflect on the strong and enduring partnership between Queen’s University Belfast and Stranmillis University College—a partnership built on shared values, a commitment to excellence, and a vision for education that reaches beyond our two institutions.

“Ultimately, this partnership is a reflection of a spirit of collaboration—a belief that by working together, we can achieve more for our students, our communities, and the future of education. As we look ahead, we remain committed to deepening this collaboration, finding new ways to support our students and staff, and ensuring that excellence, innovation, and partnership remain the cornerstones of our relationship.”

Stranmillis CEO and Principal, Professor Jonathan Heggarty, said:

We are excited to be signing a new Partnership Agreement with Queen’s University Belfast today. For over 100 years, our two institutions have worked side by side, collaborating on and contributing to education locally and globally; building strong reputations for excellence in teaching and learning, innovative research, quality student support, and nurturing future leaders. This new agreement renews our shared commitment to excellence and will enabls us to leverage our strengths to address today’s challenges and seize tomorrow’s opportunities. A key focus for both institutions is student success. Through joint research, new study programs, and outstanding student services, this agreement ensures our students will benefit from our strengthened partnership.

Successful partnerships create space for each partner to contribute their unique strengths toward common goals. This agreement will help Stranmillis and Queen’s advance our shared vision for the future of education in Northern Ireland, focusing on academic excellence, fostering an environment of inclusion and opportunity, and ensuring our students have an outstanding learning experience.

Speaking about the importance of the partnership to students, Joanna McCombe, a Year 2 Post-primary student at Stranmillis, said:

“Studying at Stranmillis offers me the best of both worlds. Being affiliated with Queen’s means I benefit from world-class resources and amenities, including the McClay Library, state-of-the-art sports facilities at Queen’s PEC, and a vibrant student life filled with clubs, societies, and social activities. Plus, I’m earning a degree from a prestigious Russell Group university which is globally recognised and opens doors to a world of opportunities.

“At the same time, Stranmillis provides a small, tight-knit community where everyone, students and staff, knows and supports each other. We share a genuine passion and commitment to improving the lives and futures of children and young people through education.”

Prof Tony Gallagher and Minister for the Economy feature at the 2nd Annual Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

On Wednesday 29 January, Stranmillis University College hosted the second Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture. Established in 2023 in memory of Dr Éamon Phoenix – renowned historian and a fondly remembered colleague who served as a Principal Lecturer and Head of Lifelong Learning at Stranmillis University College – the annual lecture invites educators, researchers, students and professionals to engage in discussions on contemporary educational.

The speakers for this, the 2nd Memorial Lecture, were the outgoing Minister for the Economy, Conor Murphy MLA, with the memorial lecture delivered by Prof. Tony Gallagher, Professor Emeritus and Honorary Professor of Education at Queen’s University Belfast.
At the inaugural lecture last year, U.S. Special Envoy for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy III, stressed the importance and impact a world class education system has on economic prosperity, a theme strongly echoed by Minister Murphy in his ministerial address, as he focused on the importance of high quality teaching and learning in building an inclusive, robust and prosperous economy and society.

Entitled ‘Diversity in Schools: Past, Present… and Future’, Prof. Gallagher’s keynote speech drew on Dr Phoenix’s work, examining some of the historical and current debates on the structure of the school system in Northern Ireland and offering some thoughts on the way the issue of diversity might be addressed through education in future.

The event concluded with an update on the establishment of the Éamon Phoenix Foundation by Mrs Alice Phoenix. A particular highlight was the video footage of Dr Phoenix’s recounting of the story of “The Penal Times and Belle Steele”, one of the many archive videos available on the Foundation’s website.

Commenting, Prof. Jonathan Heggarty, Principal and CEO of Stranmillis University College, said: “I would like to thank Minister Conor Murphy MLA and Prof Tony Gallagher for their insightful and thought-provoking contributions to the 2nd Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture. It is vital that we continue to explore how we can best learn lessons from the past to ensure that we have an education system, now and in the future, which allows all learners to reach their potential. Dr Phoenix embodied an exceptional ability to make even complex and difficult to understand ideas accessible and engaging for all. We were therefore delighted that Minister Murphy and Professor Gallagher agreed to be our speakers at this year’s event, a further acknowledgement of the contribution Dr Phoenix made to Stranmillis, to education, to the wider Northern Ireland society and beyond.”