Staff, students and VIPs gathered at Great Yarmouth College on December 16 for a Christmas party of festive treats including carols from the college choir, mulled wine and canapés.
They were there to celebrate a number of achievements and to formally open the new facilities completed in September. Henry Cator, honorary fellow of UCS, along with college governor Jane Beck, who is also chair of the estates committee, and college apprentice Tom Edwards who worked on the project, jointly cut the ribbon to declare the facilities open.
Also celebrating that evening were 24 of the 55 college Norfolk Scholars, awarded for their achievements of distinction in 2015. They were presented with their certificates by Rob Evans, chair of Governors and were as proud as punch to re recognised for their hard work.
'Many of these scholars are now at university so it was lovely they could attend our Christmas Party to receive their hard-earned awards,' said Ruth Harrison,college vice principal.
Also celebrating were Robert Gosnell of RG Carter, construction project manager; Rik Potter of RG Carter, site manager; Kate Lambert of Anglia Heating, PR and communications manager, and Chris Eve of Anglia Heating, mechanical and electrical manager.
And Penny Wycherley, former college principal and key to the inception of the project also attended.
The surprise star of the show turned out to be one of the many student projects undertaken this term – a 12ft steel framed Christmas tree built by engineering students for North Walsham Council's Christmas lights display next year!
College chief executive officer Stuart Rimmer said: 'It was a really super event and although we were keen to formally open the new facilities we wanted to ensure we focused on the reasons for the investment - student achievement – after all, the buildings are designed to raise aspirations, build confidence and respect and facilitate our students' best efforts; what better way to acknowledge this that with this year's Norfolk Scholars, staff, governors and friends of the college.'
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