Submitted by Srs Lynn and Maria fcJ from the Liverpool St Hugh’s community
Our FCJ Bicentenary Bursary fund supports a number of university students who are studying courses that fit in with the priorities in the FCJ Calls from the General Chapter 2019 and the FCJ Values from the schools in some way. We currently have seven students in receipt of a bursary, three in second year of studies, and four in their first year at university. All of them went to school at Bellerive FCJ Catholic College. They are now training for teaching (secondary and primary), nursing, midwifery, ethics, and one is training as a paramedic. As part of the bursary programme they attend a formation day each year and volunteer in school.
On January 18th we had a formation day with the group during which the students had an opportunity to present something of their studies and to share some of the challenges. (Photo, l-to-r: Olivia, Millie, Thrase, Lynne fcJ, Sian, Maria fcJ, Millie, Louisa, Libby.) It was lovely to see how they have been impacted by their studies and how they are using their skills for the good of others.
The formation day also gave us opportunity to reflect again on the FCJ Values and to make connections between the values they learned in an FCJ School and their ongoing study now. The final part of the day was some input on Christian Leadership, enabling them to reflect on the ways in which they are developing as young leaders in their field.
The students introducing themselves
My name is Libby and I am in my first year of University, studying Children’s Nursing. I am currently on placement in Alder Hey Hospital, which I am really enjoying, as it gives me the opportunity to be hands on and practical. The FCJ bursary has been a huge help throughout my studies, funding my transport, shoes/uniform for placement and meals, whilst I am on placement. I would like to succeed in my studies and the bursary will help me continue to do that.
My name is Millie and I am studying Primary Education. I am currently half-way through my first placement, where I am with a Year 2 class. I am really enjoying my course, as it has allowed me to meet lots of new people and make new friends. I am also thoroughly enjoying my placement, as it is increasing my knowledge about what goes on in a school; as well as allowing me to put the knowledge I have learned so far into practice. The FCJ bursary has helped me with the cost of travel to placement every day, particularly allowing me to shorten my hours in my part-time job, as the workload was a lot while on placement fulltime. The bursary has also supported me in purchasing formal clothes for my placement, as well as buying materials and resources to improve my lessons.
My name is Olivia and I am studying Primary Education. I am really enjoying my university experience. My favourite part of the course is being on placement. I have completed two block placements so far: in first year I was in lower key stage 2 and this year I was placed in upper key stage 2. This means, in my final placement, in third year, I will be in key stage one, which I am looking forward to. My favourite part of the university-based learning is studying my enhanced specialism area. I chose Mathematics and it is really interesting. The bursary has helped me in many ways, for example, it helped me cover placement travel expenses, buy professional clothing for placement, buy equipment and resources to use in my lessons and to buy books and a laptop. Whilst I am on placement, I can only work one shift per week at my part-time job, so the bursary has also supported me with this.
My name is Thrase and I am studying Maths at university, in order to become a Maths teacher. On my days off from university, I spend my time volunteering in an enhanced provision unit in a school. I would also like to teach children with special educational needs (SEN). I have enjoyed university, as it has helped me learn a lot about myself and grown in confidence in facing new situations. The FCJ bursary helps me in many ways. It has helped me get an ipad for university, so I can keep all my work together, knowing I won’t lose it. It helps with transport costs and food for uni. It also helps my family, as I can contribute towards bills and shopping. It also allows me to do nice things for the children where I volunteer, such as buying some sweets or chocolate for a treat.
My name is Millie and I am a second year student paramedic. So far, I am really enjoying my university experience and what the ‘uni life’ has to offer. My favourite part about being on the course is placement. This year I am completing 750 hours of placement which includes 620 hours of ambulance shifts, as well as shifts in theatres, paediatric wards, mental health wards and Accident and Emergency. I enjoy working with a variety of paramedics and being able to get hands on experience. On ambulance placement, I join a crew of 2 (with at least 1 paramedic) and work 60 hours per week. I will become a fully qualified paramedic in just under 14 months’ time. The FCJ bursary has really helped me financially, as student loans do not stretch far. Therefore, the bursary helps me with expenses to travel to placement as well as to university (in Manchester). It also helps me to purchase extra equipment for placement, for example, trauma scissors, ECG revision books, etc. Due to my hours being so full-on, I don’t have the time to work a part-time job. Therefore, the bursary, one hundred percent, helps me out financially.
My name is Sian and I am studying Midwifery. I have learned how to care and advocate for women, throughout their whole pregnancy and postnatal period, as well as learning various skills which I have put into practice in my hospital placement. I love how there is something different for me to learn every day in placement. For example, parent education in antenatal classes and learning different types of birthing, such as hypnobirthing. The FCJ bursary helps me to pay for my university accommodation and bills, as well as funding my transport to placement. My main priority for this year is to pass my exams, have 50% of skills signed off and to continue to settle into my placement settings and take every opportunity I can to learn and grow.
My name is Louisa and I am in my first year of university, studying Philosophy at the University of Manchester. The modules I studied in my first semester were ethics, philosophy of mind and studying philosophy. In my next semester, I will be studying metaphysics and epistemology, religion, ethics and the environment and critical thinking. For me, my degree is extremely important, as it demonstrates that not everybody thinks the same. The bursary has made it possible for me to live at home while attending university, which I am incredibly grateful for. Being able to study philosophy at my university of choice has definitely enhanced my experience. I am excited to continue expanding my knowledge and understanding of the subject.
