Transforming the educational landscape

Welcoming graduates and guests to Wakefield College’s Graduation Ceremony in the City’s Cathedral last Saturday, Principal Heather MacDonald said Wakefield College was currently planning a £50 million investment in state-of-the-art education and training facilities that would transform the educational landscape of the District.

Graduates make their way to the Ceremony at Wakefield Cathedral. Graduation Day 2004 Graduation Day Video

“We have a well-established tradition of service to our students and to the local communities. We share a commitment to the economic, social and cultural development of our region, with partners such as the local authority, high schools, employers, the Chamber of Commerce, voluntary sector organisations and universities in our region.

“We collectively seek to eradicate inequality of educational opportunity and social injustices and I truly believe that our plans will open the door of opportunity and success for many, many more of our community. I personally believe that the key, to our local prosperity and to individual success and fulfilment, will be the access afforded to education and training to all who can benefit,” said Ms MacDonald.

This year saw in excess of 350 students achieving a higher level qualification at Wakefield College, all of whom, said Ms MacDonald, had invested considerable time and physical and intellectual energy in achieving success in their studies.

“We set high standards for our teaching programmes and for our students and this past year has been another successful one for the College, with outstanding examination results achieved once again across the board by our students.”

“We are also fortunate to have a committed team of professional tutors at Wakefield. Times in further and higher education continue to be challenging, sometimes it feels as if the only constant is change! But our tutors’ enthusiasm, their creativity and innovation have continued to shine through.”

Attending the ceremony were the Mayor of Wakefield Councillor Janet Holmes and the Mayor’s Consort, Councillor Brian Holmes; members of the College’s Board of Governors, the Vice-Dean of Wakefield Cathedral, Cannon Richard Capper, and principal guest speaker, Mark Ridgway, Managing Director of Joseph Rhodes Limited, of Belle Vue, Wakefield, who presented the students with their certificates.

College music students provided musical accompaniment and the Wakefield College Choir performed “I’ve Got to Sing My Song” by Oleta Adams arranged by music tutor Alison Wightman.

ENDS