Latest news with #SacredHeartSecondarySchool
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Youths must upgrade skills to compete in open economy, says Premier
Sagah (third left) presents the Outstanding School Award for STPM 2024 to Sacred Heart Secondary School principal David Teo, witnessed by (from left) Les, Junaidi, Adana and Khairuddin. SIBU (Aug 16): The younger generation must continuously improve their knowledge and skills so they can remain competitive in an open economy, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said more business opportunities and quality jobs are being created, especially with the Sarawak government's focus on green energy and open economy. 'In this context, the Sarawak government has succeeded in attracting investments through the exploration of new economic frontiers that have increased the state's revenue. 'Research and development of natural resources, including the carbon business, have created new economic sources that could potentially multiply income. 'Therefore, the younger generation must enhance their knowledge and skills to compete in an open economy. 'With the government's emphasis on the green energy sector, youths must be ready to seize the job opportunities that will be created,' he said when officiating the Sarawak Education Expo 2025 at the Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud Chancellor Hall, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) here today. His speech was read by State Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. On the expo, Abang Johari said it provided students with the latest information about education in Sarawak, especially since the establishment of higher learning institutions by the state government has opened up more opportunities for them to pursue both academic and skills-based studies. 'Education is now a necessity because through it, one can discover their personal potential and choose a suitable career path for the future. 'Therefore, this expo plays a role in raising awareness among children — especially in rural areas — about education opportunities at institutions under the Sarawak Foundation, and serves as a platform for the government to disseminate information and guide them to seize such opportunities,' he added. The fourth edition of the Sarawak Education Expo 2025, organised by Sarawak Foundation, aimed to attract 19,500 participants and is being held simultaneously at 30 locations statewide, with the Sibu District Education Office as the host for the launch. Also held during the expo was the presentation of the Sarawak Foundation's Outstanding Student Awards to 1,525 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students and 461 Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) students for the year 2024. Also present were Sarawak Foundation director Datu Mohamad Junaidi Mohidin, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Adana Jed, Sarawak deputy director of education Dr Les Met, and UTS vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abd Hamid. Abang Johari open economy Roland Sagah skills improvement youth
IOL News
14-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
How education became the key to success for a young KZN woman
Tracy Nyongwana, a young woman from KZN, transformed her life through education, overcoming obstacles and embracing mentorship along the way Image: Supplied For Tracy Nyongwana, success didn't come by chance, but it was crafted through discipline, strategy, and an unshakeable belief in the power of education. At just 23 years old, the process engineer in training at Sasol, has completed two degrees in five years - a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Applied Chemistry Engineering degree at Wits University. But behind the milestones is a young woman who learned early that success demands intentional choices. 'I didn't have to be the smartest,' Nyongwana said. 'I just had to be willing to learn, ask questions, believe, and keep showing up.' Raised in a disadvantaged household in Verulam, north of Durban, Nyongwana made the decision in high school that she would change her life through education, even before knowing if she'd ever afford university. Her turning point came in Grade 9, when she fought to qualify for a German-sponsored scholarship to attend school at Sacred Heart Secondary School. This meant managing long days packed with chores like cooking, cleaning, and caring for siblings, before she could sit down to study until 3am. 'It was exhausting, but the scholarship opportunity motivated me to push through,' she said. Nyongwana's academic record soared, and with it came new influences that shaped her thinking. She also received help from non-profit organisation PROTEC which provides education support primarily to disadvantaged learners and teachers in STEM-gateway subjects – Maths, Technology and Science – as well as English. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Nyongwana said that at PROTEC, she was inspired by alumni who had walked a similar path. 'Their stories taught me that my background doesn't define me,' she said, 'and I could become an independent, smart, and career-driven individual.' She added that she adopted a strategic mindset at university. 'I didn't focus much on making friends for fun,' she said. 'Instead, I built partnerships and intentional relationships centered around academic growth.' She actively sought out older students in her programme who were doing well and turned them into informal mentors. 'I'd ask questions like: 'What helped you pass? What would you do differently? What were your hardest modules?' That hunger to learn from others was a game-changer for me.' She admitted that even with a clear plan, there were tough moments. What carried her through was humility and faith. 'I intentionally made myself small at every table I sat at, which allowed me to learn, absorb, and grow,' she said. 'And I don't believe I could've done it without God.' Nyongwana said finding mentors was invaluable to her. It was a mentor who first told her about the Sasol bursary, which was an opportunity she hadn't known existed. 'She even helped me prepare for the interviews,' Nyongwana said. 'When I finally received that Sasol bursary in 2022, something inside me shifted. I could see the light. I was on the path. I was 'becoming that girl', the woman I had dreamed of becoming. 'The inspiration my mentors gave me now fuels my desire to pour into someone else's cup,' she said. Today, she mentors students who remind her of where she once stood determined, but uncertain. Her current focus is on becoming the best engineer she can be. 'I'm not rushing the process,' she said. Long-term, she's eyeing a future in leadership, perhaps through mining or business. 'I genuinely believe I'm being prepared for something greater, something bigger than just a job title. 'Whatever path I take, one thing I know for sure is that I want to 'be that girl', the one who broke the cycle, the one who rose despite the odds, the one who stayed humble, worked hard, and walked in faith.' THE MERCURY
CTV News
23-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Walkerton's E. coli disaster - a quarter century ago
Students from Sacred Heart Secondary School pray outside of Well 5 in Walkerton on May 20. (CTV News/Scott Miller)
Irish Independent
17-05-2025
- Science
- Irish Independent
‘We knew these girls had something special' – Teenage robotics team from Co Offaly make history with their robot Agatha
The students from Sacred Heart Secondary School in Tullamore, who are aged between 12 and 14, arrived home from Dallas, Texas early this morning, where they represented Ireland at the world championships, the first all-female robotics team to do so. The 'Steminists' – Jasmine Matsushita (13), Emily Thunder (13), Olivia Hoey (14), Rachel Ebenezer (13) and Alice Duffy (12) – have become robotics champions in less than a year with their powerhouse robot, Agatha Trunchbull. Their robot, who was named after the formidable principal from Matilda, was the result of seven months of relentless work by the team. "We knew these girls had something special,' said their teacher Aisling Bourke, who supported the team throughout the year alongside her colleague Sindy Meleady. Agatha is programmed to compete in challenges and matches against other robots, with the team earning the opportunity to head to Texas this week. "They're the highest achieving Irish team, to bring home the judges award – and it's the first all-girls team to go. We're very excited for them, they were brilliant,' said Ms Bourke. She said the girls were the 'driving force' behind the work, bringing Agatha home with them after school some evenings to work on the design or the composition of the robot. "Emily, who was in charge of the coding, used to only be able to run the code at nighttime when her younger brother and sisters were in bed,' said Ms Bourke. "They used to carry the robot from the school to their house – they've convinced me now that we need a trolley.' The girls would also work during weekends and midterms to get their robot to the highest standard they could. ADVERTISEMENT Jasmine was the team's lead builder, who worked on making sure the robot was solid and competition ready, while Emily, the team's programmer was responsible for writing and refining the robot's code. Olivia led on the design of the robot, with Rachel playing a key role in the research and strategising and Alice supporting the engineering process as a builder while also focusing on game analysis. Speaking on their way home from Dublin Airport, the girls said they feel 'amazing' in the aftermath of their achievement. "They cannot wait to get back to Tullamore,' added Ms Bourke. President Michael D Higgins said the team's accomplishment in reaching the world championships serves 'as a powerful reminder of the immense potential that lies in the minds and hands of our young people, particularly young girls, when given the opportunity to engage with science, technology, engineering and mathematics'. The team will be honoured with a special homecoming event with family and friends in Tullamore today, before their school welcomes them back with an official homecoming event on Monday. Ms Bourke said the school recognised the importance of helping students to 'open up doors to opportunities that they wouldn't get in the classroom through the curriculum'. "They thought this was very important. We're just facilitating that which is great, to come home with such a prestigious award like we are absolutely over the moon.'
RTÉ News
15-05-2025
- Science
- RTÉ News
Prestigious US award for Tullamore school's robotics team
An all-female robotics team from Tullamore in Co Offaly have won the prestigious Judges Award at the VEX Robotics World Championships in Dallas, Texas. The team from the Sacred Heart Secondary School includes students Emily Thunder, Jasmine Matsushita, Rachel Ebenezer, Alice Duffy, and Olivia Hoey and their teachers Ms Sindy Meleady and Ms Aisling Bourke. The VEX Robotics programme is a series of competitions and educational resources targeted at encouraging young students to learn Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) concepts, with different levels for various age groups including VEX IQ for younger students and VEX V5 for older minds. Earlier this week "The Steminists" received a message of support from President of Ireland Michael D Higgins. In the letter of support, President Higgins encouraged the students to "deepen your inquiry, and to remain steadfast". "In demonstrating such outstanding skill in engineering, coding, design, and strategy, your success to date is a testament to the power of curiosity, dedication, creativity, and teamwork. "It also serves as a powerful reminder of the immense potential that lies in the minds and hands of our young people, particularly young girls, when given the opportunity to engage with science, technology, engineering and mathematics."
