As the academic year draws to a close, we can reflect on the incredible achievements and success of the Computing Department here at Wallace. This was a busy year with the pupils partaking in several competitions and events, but we can also recognise the talent and dedication of our students in their successes.
Table of Contents
CyberFirst Silver Award
We are thrilled to announce that our Computing Department has been awarded the prestigious CyberFirst Silver Award. In partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre, the CyberFirst Silver Award is a testament to our commitment to cyber security education across all year groups and reflects all our efforts in preparing students for the digital challenges of the 21st century.
By promoting cyber security as part of our curriculum, our students have, and will, develop essential skills in cyber security, cryptography, and network security, setting them on a path towards successful careers in cyber security.
As part of this award, our students can avail of unique opportunities, as our Year 10 students did when CyberFirst ran a day of cyber security workshops in the school.
CyberFirst EmPower Event
Another event exclusive to CyberFirst schools was the CyberFirst EmPower Girls event at Windsor Park National Football Stadium. Several of our Year 8 girls were invited to attend this event, which was running for the first time this year. This incredible opportunity allowed the girls to engage in hands-on workshops, interactive challenges, and insightful discussions led by industry experts. Attending this event provided our students with valuable insights into the world of cyber security, inspiring them to pursue further learning and exploration in what is a rapidly evolving field.
BelTech EDU Conference
In March, our Year 14 Digital Technology students attended the BelTech EDU Conference, held in Titanic, Belfast. The theme of this year’s BelTech EDU Conference was exploring the use of artificial intelligence in fields such as healthcare, media and criminology. Our students had the chance to learn from leading professionals in the field, gaining valuable knowledge and insights into the applications of AI. This experience allowed our students to think critically and creatively about the role of technology in shaping the future.
Individual Success!
The department has also seen some individual success this year. Daniel, one of our Year 13 Software Systems Development students, achieved remarkable success in the All-Ireland Programming Olympiad. Daniel had been working hard in this competition since January and scored highly enough in the final online round to be invited to the in-person finals in University College Cork in March, where he finished 9th overall. This is an outstanding accomplishment, and a testament to the talent, hard work, and dedication of our students. The department looks forward to witnessing their continued success.
Young Coders Competition
Lastly, our Year 8 students have been involved in their own competition, with several students entering their Scratch projects into the Young Coders competition, showcasing their creativity, problem-solving skills, and interest in coding. This competition involved producing an educational game using the Scratch programming environment based on the theme of ‘Time and Space’.
“This has been another busy term and a busy year for the department, but the experiences afforded to the students have been invaluable in helping them to expand their knowledge and grow their interest in computing. We are also very proud of all our students who have participated in a number of competitions throughout the year, and we look forward to seeing continued success in the future.”
As we come to the end of another successful year in our Computing Department, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our students, staff and parents for their support and dedication.
Wallace High School Computing Department
Last modified: June 21, 2024
