SEEVIC

SEEVIC College recently hosted its first Graduation Ceremony for students who completed the Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree in Early Years. The evening ceremony, held in the College Theatre, saw SEEVIC College’s Chair of Corporation Bob Pluck award graduates with their certificates, to the applause of their friends, family members and guests of the College including Councillor and Mayor of Castle Point Cliff Brunt.

Sarah Wright, Principal & Chief Executive of SEEVIC College said: “The evening was a wonderful celebration of the very significant achievement of our Higher Education students. It was wonderful to see them graduate and to start the next exciting chapter of their lives. The College staff who had made this possible with excellent teaching and guidance were there to support them in the same way they have done throughout their course of study. This was the first such event for SEEVIC College and one that we will be repeating each year with our growing numbers of HE students.”

Students were invited to the College with their friends and family to celebrate their achievement and mark the successful completion of the foundation degree, validated by the University of Hertfordshire. Graduates wore the University of Hertfordshire’s dress, which comprised of cap, gown and hood and the College welcomed guests from the University to form part of the Academic Procession.

Graduate Theresa Clarke from Westcliff-on-Sea said: “This Graduation Ceremony has been a fantastic way to celebrate the success of everyone on the course. We have had some really good times since we started at SEEVIC two years ago. It’s been great getting to know each other and supporting each other through the highs and lows.

It’s been challenging having to juggle College with work, family and home but as soon as we got our results we knew it had all been worthwhile. The experience has been invaluable. It has increased our confidence, boosted our self-esteem and made us proud of the profession we now represent, and it’s all thanks to the fantastic support we have been given here at SEEVIC.”  

The Foundation Degree completed by the students focuses on supporting the improvement of practice within a childcare setting. Students were required to challenge practices, look at practices within other countries, evaluate what can be done differently and ultimately demonstrate best practice for a child’s welfare.     

Event Organiser, Karen Hitch said: “We are extremely pleased at how well the event went and have had many positive comments from the graduates saying how much they enjoyed the evening. As this is the first Graduation Ceremony we have ever held at the College it took a lot of organisation, but when we saw how proud all the graduates and their families were we were thrilled that all the hard work had paid off.  It was great for us all to be part of such a special occasion.”