Pictured above is Mr John D’Arcy, Director of Open University Ireland, presenting a Kindle Fire to Year 13 student Olivia O’Hanlon. Also pictured is Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Vice-principal Mrs Una McNulty. 

The Open University is a regular exhibitor at the UCAS fair, which attracts around 300 schools, colleges, recruiters and gap year companies year for those thinking about what and where to study in higher education. School leavers have the opportunity to meet representatives from universities and colleges in order to find out more about the courses and options available to them.
This year, Upper and Lower 6th pupils from schools across Northern Ireland were invited to participate in a competition to win a Kindle Fire, by correctly answering a series of questions about The Open University.

Olivia was the lucky winner in the competition which received 142 entries. John D’Arcy, Director of the OU in Ireland visited St Paul’s on 15 April to present Olivia with her prize and to meet Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Mrs Una McNulty, Vice Principal for Standards.

Mr D’Arcy said “We are delighted to award this prize today. Young people aged 16- 21 now form around 8% of our student body here in Northern Ireland, as our flexible, part-time approach is attractive to school leavers as they have the option to work and study at the same time.

Also, for individuals from areas outside the urban centres of Northern Ireland, who may find travel to a conventional campus-based university difficult, the OU’s flexible distance learning approach is also very attractive. The OU model means that people can study where and when they like, via online tutorials and through mobile devices on the move.”

Olivia said: “I am really happy to have won this prize. It was fantastic to learn more about The Open University as a possible study option when I leave school.”

Mr Oliver Mooney, Principal of St Paul’s, said that he was delighted to see how the OU has developed and commented on its great versatility for students of all ages who wish to study to degree level and beyond. He also invited Mr D’Arcy back to St Paul’s to talk to staff about further professional study opportunities available through the OU. Mr Mooney said, “New technology has shrunk the distance in distance learning so that relevant courses are literally at our fingertips.”

It’s Careers Week at St Paul’s this week.  As part of this week, we’re hosting an Information Session for Parents and students in Year 12, to give advice and guidance on Post-16 options.  

This session takes place on MONDAY 4 MARCH from 3.30 – 5.30 p.m.

We’ve provided links to our Post-16 Prospectus below, which contains information and advice about subjects that we may offer next year, as well as helpful career information.

Click here to download your own copy of our 2013 Post-16 Prospectus.

Watch our video interviews with students who are currently studying various subjects at Post-16, which we hope will be useful to students who may be interested in these options next year.

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Personal Statement Update

All year 13 students are reminded that Personal Statements and 5 choices grids must be submitted to careers teachers by Friday 22 June.

It is essential that you refer to the Personal Statement Booklet and UCAS website for guidance when working on this important document.

Click on the link below for further information:

www.ucas.com/personalstatement

June Work Experience 2012 

Those students who submitted a formal request to complete Work Experience in June should contact Mrs Kearney directly by Friday 15 June to confirm final details. No student is permitted to attend official work experience without having received approval from the Careers Department who will then issue the necessary indemnity forms.

QUB Summer Programme

Interested in finding out about student life at Queen’s University this summer? Would you like to gain some tips from Queen’s on completing your UCAS application? Click below for application form or school banner for more information.

Southern Health and Social Care Trust Volunteers

All pupils who applied to volunteer within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust are informed that they will be contacted directly by the Volunteer Co-ordinator in the coming weeks about attending induction training. It is important that you attend any training which is organised as you must show your dedication and commitment to the volunteer programme.