Congratulations to our newly trained IT Subject Ambassadors.

Twelve pupils from Years 12-14 volunteered to take part in a new initiative which will involve delivering an exciting programme in the I.T. Department’s Coding Club for Years 9 and 10. The benefits of this programme include supporting and enthusing Key Stage 3 students in their Digital Studies and supporting the Personal and Social Development of the Sixth Form students.

“The QUB IT Ambassadors Programme is a collaborative initiative involving Sentinus and the School of Computer Science at Queens University, Belfast. The School of Computer Science at Queens is concerned at the perceived drop in interest in Computer Science and Coding by KS3 students and the subsequent uptake of the subject in Key Stages 4 and 5. Belfast is the fastest growing Digital Hub in Europe and in order to maintain that growth In the Northern Ireland Digital Sector, there needs to be a constant stream of students taking up the subject in schools. Consequently, the School of Computer Science at Queens University would like to support a programme which allows Sixth Form IT Ambassadors to support and enthuse younger students in Key Stage 3.”

Mr Sean Connolly delivered an energetic workshop around the BBC Micro:bit using Block Editor and Text Editor with Micropython.

Also present was Angela Allen, QUB Deputy Head of School of Computer Science and Gerard Hughes who is the Sentinus Co-ordinator for this initiative.

We were especially delighted to welcome back Steven Clarke, a past pupil of Ballymena Academy as QUB Link Mentor. He will be supporting the IT Subject Ambassadors and will be on call when needed.