Other News In Brief

CPA Calls For End Of Academic Selection

Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Karen Mullan MLA has welcomed new research from the Catholic Principals Association (CPA) which adds further weight to the need to end academic selection.

The Foyle MLA said: "The research demonstrates what many of us have been saying for years which is that academic selection puts young children under stress, anxiety and depression, and can then label them as 'failures' when they succumb to these pressures.

"The damage being caused to our young people's health by having to face such pressures cannot and should not be tolerated in a caring society'.

"For the church and Catholic grammar schools, causing this type of damage to young children seriously calls into question the Catholic ethos that they profess.

"I agree entirely with the demand from the CPA that grammar schools within the Catholic sector should implement the request from the Catholic Bishops to end academic selection.

"It is important that all schools should focus solely on the well-being of children in their care rather than be concerned about their rankings in school league tables."

Plans Approved To Move Primary School Onto Site In South Belfast

Plans to move Forge Integrated Primary School onto the former Knockbreda High School site in south Belfast has been given the go-ahead.

Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomed the announcement and said it is a "hugely exciting move".

He said: "I have worked with the Principal and others at the school to ensure this innovative proposal was given the priority by the Department that it so richly deserves. The addition of a specialist Autism Centre and a Learning Support Centre would really make the site fit for the demand from the local area, which is increasingly attractive to families with young children.

"This will provide great security to the school and to the community around it, and I am really hopeful that this move will be completed by the end of the decade."

Rugby Players Ireland To Include 'Sexual Health And Relationships' In Wellbeing Workshops

Rugby Players Ireland (RPI) are to include "sexual health and relationships" in its new wellbeing workshops for players.

The classes aim to promote "healthy behavioural attitudes" following the rape trial of Ireland and Ulster Rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.

Both me were acquitted of all charges last month.

The RPI Player Wellbeing Programme focuses on "off field development" and has said to have been developed "in light of recent events".

(MH)