Con-grad-ulations! Local primary schoolchildren to dress up for UEA graduation ceremony
By: News Archive
As the University of East Anglia (UEA) gears up for graduation week (Monday 15 July-Friday 19 July), over 200 local primary schoolchildren will be getting in first as they don mortarboards and gowns to celebrate their own graduation ceremony next week.
The Norfolk Children’s University graduation event will see Year 4 to 6 students from Norfolk schools coming to UEA campus to collect their ‘degrees’ on Tuesday 9 July at The Enterprise Centre and Thursday 11 July at Congregation Hall.
All the students will be walking across the stage in traditional graduation caps and gowns to receive their certificates in front of their classmates, teachers and parents to reward a year of commitment to extra-curricular activities.
At the start of the year, students received Children’s University passports which are stamped whenever they participate in extra-curricular activities, such as joining the scouts or girl guides, participating in performing arts classes, cooking classes or sports teams, or visiting popular Norfolk destinations such as Thetford Forest or Holkham Hall.
The more stamps a child collects in their passport, the higher the ‘degree’ they will achieve, with bronze, silver and gold awards, as well as ‘Masters’ and ‘PhDs’.
UEA’s Outreach team, which works to widen participation into higher education for children from underrepresented backgrounds in Norfolk, have partnered with Norfolk Children’s University to host the event so that students can experience the graduation in a university setting.
Over 40 schools in Norfolk currently participate in the scheme, which is run nationally but is overseen by Norfolk County Council in this county. Students from Howard Junior School, in King’s Lynn, will be attending Tuesday ceremony with Drayton Junior School, Wensum Junior School, Lingwood Primary School and Norwich Primary Academy in Norwich receiving their awards on Thursday.
The Children’s University works in partnership with schools and councils to encourage young people to get involved in extra-curricular activities. Research suggests that young people involved in activities outside the classroom develop confidence and self-belief, gain new experiences and skills and see learning as fun and aspirational.
Darren McMorran, Outreach Officer at UEA and event organiser, said: “We are honoured to host the Norfolk Children’s University Graduation event for the tenth year in a row. It’s always wonderful to see children and their parents celebrate their achievements and reward their passion for education.
“At UEA, we encourage our students to learn outside the lecture theatre by participating in sports clubs, societies, volunteering and more because we know that learning doesn’t just happen in a lecture theatre. It’s great to see this attitude towards learning is being instilled in the next generation of students.”
Greggory Hill, headteacher at Howard Junior School, said: “The graduation ceremony is a great way for our students and their parents to celebrate the commitment the students have made to learning.
“When our students get involved in activities outside the classroom, I can see them improve their self-confidence, develop a range of essential skills and become more inquisitive of the world around them.”
Cllr John Fisher, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Norfolk County Council, said: “It has been a pleasure our pleasure to run the Children’s University scheme in Norfolk this year, and I would like to congratulate the children, parents and teachers who have taken part.
“It is encouraging to see so many children get involved in activities outside of the classroom which is such an important part of their development. We have held more ceremonies than ever with a record number of children receiving the postgraduate award.”
During both days, students will hear speeches from UEA’s student ambassadors about the benefits of higher education and will also have the opportunity to tour the University campus and have their photographs take in their mortarboard and gown.
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