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Category: Stranmillis News

‘Collaborating for Impact’ conference

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

On the 4th June 2024, THRiVE and their Learning Partnership team from Stranmillis University College’s Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement (CREU) – Dr Karen Orr, Prof. Noel Purdy, Dr Millie Symington & Dr Mark Ballentine – hosted a two-day conference at Stranmillis University College, attended by thought leaders, practitioners, and policy makers from across sectors in NI.

The organisers were delighted to have been joined by and to hear from Junior Ministers Pam Cameron and Aisling Reilly, and Justice Minister Naomi Long.

They also welcomed input, via video, from Ministers Paul Givan (Education), Mike Nesbitt (Health), Gordon Lyons (Communities), and Caoimhe Archibald (Finance), who shared their support for the place-based collaboration model evidenced by THRiVE and the need for government and other sectors to work together.

Throughout the jam packed two days, the conference heard from a range of speakers who spoke to different aspects of relevance to the theme of ‘collaborating for impact’.

Speakers included Claire Humphrey, (THRiVE Co-ordinator); Dr Karen Orr (THRiVE Learning Partnership Principal Investigator); Prof. Noel Purdy OBE (CREU Director and THRiVE Learning Partnership team); Young people from Monsktown Boxing Club; Chris Quinn, the NI Children’s Commissioner; Prof. Allisson Metz (implementation science expert from University of North Carolina, USA); THRiVE parent champions (Mary Dripps and Lorna Allison); Jo Blundell from Place Matters; and Dorrinnia Carville, NI Comptroller General.

Additionally, Hugh Nelson (Co-Chair THRiVE) led an informative panel discussion with Collaborative Investors from THRiVE which included representatives from the Education Authority, The Executive Office, Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, and the Executive Programme on Criminality and Organised Crime.

The conference shone a spotlight on other place-based collaborations from across NI, where delegates got the opportunity to hear from other initiatives involved in the Co-ordinating Organisations Network.

And finally, a key highlight of the conference was an amazing performance from the Whitehouse Primary School choir who inspired and delighted delegates with several songs, one of which reminded us all that ‘When we work together, we get things done’

Over the course of the two days, delegates were invited to explore three key themes associated with place-based collaboration:

  1. PLACE: Throughout the conference, the idea that ‘Place Matters’ was central.  It was proposed that place-based change in communities entrenched in complex and intergenerational inequality (social, educational, health etc.) is made possible by harnessing the collective impact of all agencies (statutory and non) and stakeholders (including children, young people, parents) via equitable collaborative infrastructures.
  2. PEOPLE: Building on the concept of PLACE, delegates were reminded that it is imperative that the PEOPLE within the place are central to the change processes.  The conference pointed to the importance of bottom-up community driven and co-designed agendas, with the voice and influenceof young people (and community stakeholders more broadly) central.  The conference unpacked HOW to achieve this, with a focus on the relational aspects of this work, the importance of considering power dynamics, trust, competition, and the necessity for challenging mindsets and ‘silo’ mentalities.
  3. PROCESS: Finally, within and around both PLACE and PEOPLE are the processes and wider systems that facilitate and inhibit impact and change.  For example, strategies and policies (e.g., NI Children’s Services Co-operation Act 2015) and administrative/governance systems, finance systems and funding models that underpin statutory and non-statutory service provision.  Additionally, within the processes, the conference pointed to the necessity for impact and implementation infrastructures, that is, the space, data and evidence to learn about HOW processes are implemented, as well as WHAT DIFFERENCE they have made.

Dr Karen Orr and Claire Humphrey closed the conference by aligning their Conference Calls to Action with these three core themes of PLACE (asking for visibility of place-based approaches in the Programme for Government), PEOPLE (encouraging equitable engagement of those who live and work in communities) and PROCESSES (calling for investment in the systems needed for place-based change – funding, impact and implementation).

The synergies, resonance, energy and passion in the room over the course of the two days were clear indicators of the willingness of agencies (statutory and non) to move beyond current systems and processes towards more collaborative, place-based and evidence informed practices, in order to achieve truly child-centred and holistic services that best meet the needs of our children and young people, particularly those most vulnerable and furthest from opportunity.

Speaking about the event, Dr Karen Orr said ‘The energy and enthusiasm evident during the ‘Collaborate for Impact’ conference has been a clear endorsement for the place-based collaborative efforts championed during this two day conference. CREU are proud to have brought their expertise to this conference and to the THRiVE Learning Partnership. We look forward to maintaining the energy and connections made as we work to improve the educational opportunities and outcomes for all children and young people’

One month on from the Conference and organisers, Dr Karen Orr (CREU) and Claire Humphrey (THRiVE) are considering next steps… stay tuned!

For further information and recourses related to the conference, please click here.

For further information regarding the THRiVE Learning Partnership, please contact Dr Karen Orr (K.Orr@Stran.ac.uk).

 

Time to get ‘Out and About’ with new outdoor maths resource

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

A brand new resource for teaching mathematics outdoors has now been launched by academics from Stranmillis University College and Dublin City University.

Developed with funding from cross-border teacher education organization SCoTENS, Out and About: Outdoor Activities for Key Stage 2 Mathematics is a free resource of ideas and activities that aim to support teachers in their planning and provision of outdoor learning experiences in upper primary.

With activities designed to enhance learning across areas such as Number and Algebra, Measure, Shape and Space and Handling Data, the resources were created by Stranmillis University College’s Dr Pamela Moffett and Dublin City University’s Dr Siún Nic Mhuirí, in collaboration with a professional learning community of teachers from the North and South of Ireland.

Speaking about the project, Dr Moffett and Dr Nic Mhuirí said, “This resource offers a wide range of ideas to promote children’s interest and engagement in mathematics through a variety of rich and meaningful experiences in the outdoor environment. Focusing on mathematics in KS2, the resource is a great support for all teachers, particularly those who are looking for ideas on getting started with teaching mathematics outdoors.”

Check out the resources here: https://www.stran.ac.uk/resource-centre/outandabout/

You can also view a recording of the online launch of Out and About here: https://youtu.be/YiVPjBGxpCA

As we move through Spring and into early Summer, there’s no better time to take children out of the classroom and into the outdoor environment.

Dr Melanie McKee attends the Ireland & UK Physical Literacy Forum (IUKPLF) at Sport Wales

Posted on by L O'Sullivan

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 15th 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).

US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland: “It all begins with education”

Posted on by Andrew McAteer
SUC Principal and CEO Prof Jonathan Heggarty (left) interviews US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Joseph Kennedy III (right).

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.”

The Phoenix Family.

“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.

 

 

 

Dr Melanie McKee launches ‘Active Schools’ pilot programme at Fort Hill Integrated Primary School

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

The pilot of an innovative programme to increase the physical activity levels of children and young people in Northern Ireland was launched on Monday 15th January by Lady Mary Peters. The Active Schools pilot programme, designed by Stranmillis University College’s Dr Melanie McKee, is being piloted in collaboration with Simon Patterson, Principal of Fort Hill Integrated Primary School.

Speaking about the launch, Dr Melanie McKee, Senior Lecturer in Physical Education and Sport at Stranmillis University College, said: “The UK’s Chief Medical Officer recommended that children and young people should engage in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity for an average of at least 60 minutes per day across the week. Alarmingly, a recent study Children’s Sport Participation & Physical Activity 2022, commissioned by Sport Northern Ireland, Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland 2023, showed how only 21% of primary-aged children and 16% of post-primary aged young people in Northern Ireland meet that guidelines. The pilot Active Schools programme launched today will provide valuable insights to support and reinforce the need for a strategic, sustainable and cross-departmental funded Active Schools programme for primary schools across Northern Ireland.”

“Physical activity is critical to the physical and mental wellbeing of children and young people. 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. This can be achieved by providing multiple and inclusive opportunities to be physically active including: active travel to/from school, active breaktimes, active play, active classrooms, PE, after-school clubs and active home learning. An Active School ethos necessitates a whole school approach, integrated into the school’s culture via its 3-year School Development Plan.”

Daily Mile Network NI ho-ho-hosts 3rd Annual Santa Run event

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

The Daily Mile Network in Northern Ireland hosted their third annual Santa Run on Friday 1 December.

Over 320 schools across NI joined the fun, with staff and children putting on their Christmas jumpers and Santa hats and taking part. Dr Barbara McConnell and Dr Brenda McKay-Redmond from the Early Childhood Studies Department at Stranmillis University College joined other members of The Daily Mile Network at Rosetta Primary School.

Dr McConnell said: “It was lovely joining the Nursery and P1 children of Rosetta Primary to complete their Daily Mile Santa Run. What better way to get into the Christmas spirit!”

“The Daily Mile challenge offers a fun and interactive way for children to get moving more and incorporate physical activity into their daily routine. Being physically active helps to build strong bones, muscles and a healthy heart, supports the development of social skills, and encourages a sense of wellbeing. It also benefits children’s mental health, so it really does have a wide range of benefits.”

Simon Melville, Teacher at Rosetta Primary School, said: “We love taking part in the Daily Mile challenge every year and the Santa Run is a great way for us to kick off the countdown to Christmas – our pupils loved it! Doing challenges like this is good for our children to get outside and reap the many benefits of physical activity. We always notice they come back to class reenergised and ready to learn. We would highly recommend the Daily Mile challenge to other schools!”

Speaking about the Daily Mile, Dr. Brenda McKay-Redmond, Co-Chair of The Daily Mile Network, said:

“The ethos of The Daily Mile is for physical activity to be social, non-competitive and fun. It encourages children to be aware of their health and aims for inclusiveness for every child, regardless of age or ability. Increasing physical activity levels for all children in Northern Ireland is critical and The Daily Mile is committed to supporting the implementation of The Daily Mile across the country and creating an evidence base that is relative to Northern Ireland.”

Dr McCourt, Physical Activity Co–ordinator of the PHA and member of the Daily Mile Network said: “The PHA would encourage as many families and schools as possible across Northern Ireland to get involved in the Daily Mile programme this year. It’s important that children are introduced to a culture of being active from an early age as it is something that will stay with them and benefit them throughout their lives.”

To find out more about The Daily Mile, visit www.thedailymile.co.uk.

Pictured (L-R) Ben Hanvey, Physical Activity Lead at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Iain Sneddon, Active School Travel Officer at Sustrans, Beth Harding, Active School Travel Manager at Sustrans, Dr Barbara McConnell, Co-Chair of The Daily Mile Network, Dr Hannah McCourt, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer at Public Health Agency, Dr Medbh Hillyard, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Ulster University, Brenda McKay-Redmond, Co-Chair of The Daily Mile Network and pupils at Rosetta Primary School.