The Isle of Man Children’s University’s first graduation ceremony saw students receive their awards wearing gowns and mortar boards sponsored by Scottish Widows, part of the Lloyds Banking Group.
The ceremony, held at St German’s Cathedral and organised by Isle of Man Children’s University manager Carys Lloyd, was attended by Children’s University Trust UK’s chief executive officer Ger Graus, Lynda Moore from the University of Chester with which the Island’s Children’s University is linked and island Children’s University chancellor Dr Jeremy Paul.
Other guests included Education and Children Minister Tim Crookall MHK and Scottish Widows’ managing director Juan Clarke accompanied by a number of his colleagues who acted as volunteer stewards for the evening.
Mr Clarke said: ‘We have been pleased to be a lead sponsor for the Isle of Man Children’s University. This is a highly commendable initiative we see complementing our other community partnerships, principally our Book Buddies volunteer readers programme in primary schools and long-standing support of the Summer Reading Challenge in association with the Henry Bloom Noble Library in Douglas. These partnerships are practical demonstrations of Scottish Widows’ commitment to inspire and encourage young people to take those first steps towards experiencing personal achievement and begin to develop some of the key skills they will need for when they enter the world of work.
‘We applaud the vision of Carys which, in little more than one year, has succeeded in bringing the Isle of Man into this respected international organisation.
‘I am also delighted to have been invited to sit on the Isle of Man Children’s University steering group along with my colleague Amanda Shimmin. We look forward to making a positive contribution and developing a long-term productive relationship. This I am confident we can achieve with the support of our colleagues who are renowned for their motivation and enthusiasm when volunteering for such inspired initiatives as the Isle of Man Children’s University.
‘In his address Ger Graus spoke of the “leap of faith” required by all those involved in establishing the island’s Children’s University. It is a leap of faith in which Scottish Widows has been pleased to participate.’
The Children’s University (CU) aims to offer five to 14-year-olds high quality learning opportunities outside of normal school hours. Students are issued with a ‘passport to learning’ to chart their progress. Activities are conducted at validated public learning destinations across the island with students’ attendance recorded with stamps in their passports.
For more information visit iomcu.im, follow the CU on its Facebook page Isle of Man Children’s University or on the Twitter feed @IOMCU.
Photo - Dressed for success: Isle of Man Children’s University’s first graduates in gowns and mortar boards sponsored by Scottish Widows. They are pictured with Scottish Widows managing director Juan Clarke, back row fourth left and, left to right, island Children’s University chancellor Dr Jeremy Paul, manager Carys Lloyd, Children’s University Trust UK’s chief executive officer Ger Graus, island Children’s University trustee John Gill and Scottish Widows colleagues
