Celebration of Success for Advanced Foundation Learners

Nine students graduated from the Advanced Foundation Learning course at SERC Newtownards Campus recently, celebrating their hard work and achievements with a lively ceremony shared with family and tutors.   

Parents saw students presented with certificates by Newtownards Campus Manager, Barbara McNeill, with each graduand wearing a personalised mortarboard. There were speeches by some of the students who were graduating, reflecting on their experience at SERC, and the course co-ordinators spoke about the efforts and successes of the class and wished them well in their next steps in life.  

Tutor Andrew O’Connor said  it is always a bittersweet moment when students finish, as staff are happy to see them completing the course but, at the same time, sad to be losing them.   

He told the students, 

“The staff will all look back on your time here with a smile and a laugh and I hope you do too.

“Keep going and keep growing, never stop learning and improving. You only get out of life what you put into it…so make it a good one. 

“The staff alone can’t take credit for your success, it has also been through the dedication and positive attitude of the students and through the help from your parents to make sure you get here each morning, so thank you all.”     

During the ceremony, one student, Kyle Deehan, read out a poem he had written called the “Foundation Farewell”:   

Three years have flown, I've grown each day, 

With friends I've met along the way. 

From trips I loved, one stands apart -

The Christmas market warmed my heart. 

Our floors stayed clean, the halls felt bright, 

Thanks to those who worked each night. 

My teachers helped me learn and grow, 

With kindness more than they might know. 

Newtownards Tech, you’ll always be, 

A second home, a part of me. 

The event was rounded off with a reception with refreshments for everyone and plenty of opportunities for photographs.   

In the picture:  with their tutors, some of the SERC Newtownards Campus Advanced Foundation Learning students wearing their personalised mortarboards at their graduation ceremony. Back row (l-r):  Toby Ellesmere; Matthew Lowry; Michelle McClean; Bailey Allen; Brooke Anderson; Emily Millis; Kyle Deehan; Kirsty Walsh.