SEEVIC

Essential Skills students performed the 12 days of Christmas at the Castle Point Mayor’s annual Christmas Carol Concert, at Runnymede Hall, in Kiln Road yesterday. Second year students studying BTEC Children’s Care, Learning and Development accompanied, mentored and coached the Essential Skills students, who all have learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

Essential Skills students Tutor Janet Perry said: "The Children’s Care, Learning and Development students have taken it really seriously, they have worked really hard and shown a lot of enthusiasm. They have all worked very well together, it has been a real pleasure to work with them."

As well as helping people to get into the festive spirit, the carol concert also formed part of the students College courses. The Children’s Care, Learning and Development students have to demonstrate coaching & mentoring skills, while the Essential Skills students have to complete a community project. The concert was a perfect opportunity for both sets of students to meet these requirements and they have all thoroughly enjoyed working together since they started rehearsing back in November.

Samantha Scott, 18, from Canvey Island said: "I was looking forward to the concert but was slightly nervous. It’s been really rewarding and fulfilling working with the Essential Skills students, we all have a mutual understanding. I had never thought about working with people who had learning difficulties before but it's now something I would definitely consider. I want to go on to University after College and study Childhood & Education Studies, then maybe do PGCE or work in Social Services and Child Protection.”

The Christmas Carol Concert went extremely well and the students from SEEVIC College were very pleased to be involved in entertaining the local community and spreading a little extra Christmas cheer in Castle Point.

Essential Skills student Kelly Moore, 17, from Vange said: "It's been really fun, I've really enjoyed doing it, the practices all went well and I couldn’t wait to perform!”