Students from Aberdeen’s Children’s University are preparing to don robes and mortarboards for their very own graduation ceremony today (Monday, June 20).
As thousands of other students celebrate their graduations, the University of Aberdeen is to host the special ceremony for more than 80 primary six and seven youngsters from Torry, who will be the first in Scotland to graduate from the Children’s University.
Aberdeen’s Children’s University aims to reward young people for the time they spend in out-of-school hours learning activities and each student will be presented with a certificate to mark their participation.
Other awards will also be presented at Monday’s ceremony (June 20) to recognise success and commitment.
The University was initially launched as a pilot in the Torry area of Aberdeen in November, 2004 and involved children from Torry Academy’s feeder primary schools – Tullos, Walker Road and Victoria Road.
It was developed by the University for Children and Communities, of which Aberdeen City Council is a key partner, in conjunction with the North Forum and the Big Lottery Fund.
The Big Lottery Fund awarded the City Council £419,644 in 2001 to provide stimulating after school and summer activities for young people across the City, of which the Children’s University is an example.
Over the past seven months the young students have taken part in a range of innovative activities designed to explore new ways of learning, including chess, a Young Investigators’ Club to encourage an interest in science, tree-planting and film-making.
The Children’s University aims to develop a culture of achievement and lifelong learning from an early age, while focusing on the transition stage between primary and secondary school and increasing motivation.
Some of the activities have taken place in Torry Academy in a bid to familiarise children with the school, which many will go on to attend.
The children have been gathering credits for their learning hours and their achievements will be rewarded in the formal graduation ceremony, during which they will experience academic traditions including wearing robes and mortarboards, as well as having photographs taken as a permanent reminder of their big day.
The Master of Ceremonies for the day is Professor Stephen Logan, Senior Vice Principal of the University of Aberdeen.
Anne Wood, Director of Children’s University, will present the certificates and prizes.
Guests will also be treated to a showing of the film created by students as part of one of their modules, which saw them working with professionals from Peacock Visual Arts and WhiteSpace.
Kay Diack, Aberdeen City Council’s Learning Initiatives Co-ordinator, will give the vote of thanks at the end of the ceremony.
She said: “I have been overwhelmed by the number of students who have taken part in the pilot Aberdeen’s Children’s University, the first of its kind in Scotland.
“The focus has been on having fun while creating opportunities for learning beyond normal school hours, introducing them to new interests while getting the students excited about learning and empower them to make positive life choices, while monitoring their progress and above all, celebrating all they have achieved.
“Their commitment to learning has been exemplary and it’s time to reward them for the great work they’ve done. Monday will be a proud day for everyone involved in the Children’s University.”
Big Lottery Fund Scotland Director Dharmendra Kanani, said: “The Big Lottery Fund is proud to be funding this exciting pilot initiative in Scotland. The Fund’s Out of School hours learning programme was designed to engage children in a range of out of school activities while opening up new learning opportunities outside of the classroom.
“The Children’s University is a wonderful example of this in action and shows what can be achieved when children are encouraged to explore new skills and interests.”
The pilot project will now be evaluated, which will inform the direction the Children’s University takes in the future.
· The University for Children and Communities (UCC) is a partnership project that aims to promote social inclusion. Project partners are University of Aberdeen, The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen College, Banff and Buchan College of Further Education, SAC, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Careers Scotland.
ENDS
Members of the media are invited to attend the inaugural Aberdeen’s Children’s University graduation ceremony on Monday, June 20, at Elphinstone Hall.
The children will be arriving at 12.30pm and guests will arrive for refreshments at 1pm and the ceremony starts at 1.30pm.
There will be the opportunity for photos at 12.45pm. Photographers are welcome to attend the ceremony, or there will be an additional short opportunity for photos at the end, at approximately 3pm.
For more information about the Children’s University please contact Kay Diack on (01224) 346077 or email kdiack@education.aberdeen.net.uk
For further information about the Big Lottery Fund, please contact Landa Rolland at the Big Lottery Fund Press Office (Scotland) on 0141 242 1458 or out of hours 07789 033 457.