At the end of the summer term, Regent College held its annual Celebration Day to recognise and celebrate all the incredible achievements over the past year.
The event was hosted by Port Vale Football Club and was attended by dignitaries, valued partners, teaching and support colleagues. and of course, our learners and their families.
Guests were invited to a enjoy a welcome lunch on arrival before being treated to a ‘Five Towns Theatre’ dance performance – presented by the drama group.
Tutor, Alan Baxter hosted the event.
Awards Ceremony
Alan was joined by Jon Nissler of the Regent College Advisory Board for the awards ceremony. The six tutor group tutors were invited by Jon to join him in shining a light on each of their learners’ progress and accomplishments, whilst presenting them with their awards.
Each learner was commended for the qualifications, accreditations, and certifications they’d achieved, as well as any work experience and volunteering they’d accomplished. The tutors shared stories about the learners’ individual outstanding achievements, and in particular their WOW moments!
Many of the learners’ WOW moments are those of personal progression and development. They highlight what those achievements mean to them personally and the positive impact it has on those around them.
All learners have been working towards independent living skills. Some will continue their education with Regent College after the summer holidays but for some of our 4th and 5th year learners who have completed their studies, it was a final, and very emotional, celebration.
There were also farewells to some our tutors retiring at the end of term.
After 15 years at Regent College, drama tutor Ann Keeble said, “It’s been a privilege to work with the young people – they are amazing.”
British Values Awards
The British Values Awards followed. These are awards that recognise learners who have demonstrated fundamental British values.
Learners are nominated by peers in their tutor group for things like displaying positive behaviour, helping others, and showing respect. Each tutor group has a British Values Award winner, with an overall College winner.
This year’s overall winner, Masood was awarded for embracing college life, making friends, helping others, greeting people and respecting people.
Regent’s Got Talent
Our 2023 finalists and winner of our annual talent contest proudly entertained guests with star acts.
Dancing to Patasa, was our 3rd place finalist and British Values Award winner, Masood.
Kelsey, our 2nd place finalist, took to the stage to dance and to sing her rendition of Uptown Girl.
Regent’s Got Talent superstar winner, Rebekah presented her Puppet Show with Sooty and Percy. A highlight was Sooty and Percy getting the audience to sing ‘Sweet Caroline’.
More moments of recognition followed:
The Regent College Special Awards
Sam – Kian Martin Mental Health Award Winner
Tayo – The Eco Award Winner
Masood – Fair Play Award
Our winners were chosen for their significant contribution in three areas of focus for the college.
Photography Competition Winners
Adam – British Wildlife
Lennox – People, Work and Play
Callum - Local Community
Learners were encouraged to capture moments in their everyday lives around the three subjects.
National Care Group COO, Karen Lewis followed with some words of appreciation for our incredible teaching and support colleagues, sharing just some of their achievement highlights this year.
Event host, Alan Baxter also shared some words about College Principal, Wendy Williams.
Reflecting on all the achievements by everybody over the past year, he said of Wendy, “we couldn’t wish for a better principal to lead us”.
The closing entertainment ‘A Dance to Come Alive from The Greatest Showman’ by Amy Booth’s dance group who presented a spectacularly choreographed routine.
Finally, our learners leaving the college this term were presented with special books by National Care Group Quality Director, Mike Cleasby. The individual books were created by tutors as a gift for the learners to reflect on their time.
College Principal, Wendy Williams closed the event with words of gratitude to all involved.
The annual Regent College Celebration Day is held for us all to come together to reflect on everything we achieve together by striving to work to our ethos of developing independence in an adult world through communication, vocational, social and life skills.