FORMER students who have gone back to their school as teachers are calling on alumni to join them at a silver anniversary fundraising event.
Emmanuel College in Gateshead is celebrating 25 years this year and marking the anniversary by leaving a lasting legacy, raising £25,000 to start a chain of schools for one of the poorest communities in South Africa.
The college wants as many former students and staff to join the celebrations and is hosting a dinner dance at The CastleGate, in Melbourne Street, Newcastle, on June 20.
Among the guests will be Nicola Swan, Nicola Milburn nee Bartram, Helen Murthy nee Farrimond, Lizzie Gardner and Dan Osman, all former students who returned to Emmanuel as teachers.
Individualised learning co-ordinator Nicola Swan, who was an Emmanuel student from 1992-2001, said: “I’ve got a big friendship group from school – I’m Godmother to one couple’s child and two other sets of friends from our year are married, so we’re a close group. It will be great to catch up with other people I remember, like Ross Tweddle who was one of the characters of our year.
“I think most people will look back and appreciate the education they got at Emmanuel. Being a member of staff and also a former student gives you an interesting perspective. I never really had any perception of special needs provision when I was a student, for instance, but now I know how hard our team works to support students of all age groups, of all different ability levels and with a variety of different needs.”
Dan, who is now head of chemistry after returning to Emmanuel in 2011, said: “I really liked the school when I was a student; it gave me a lot and I enjoy giving a lot back. I was inspired by some really good chemistry teachers and my motivation comes from trying to emulate them.”
Head of applied science Nicola Milburn, who was in the same year as Dan from 2000-2007, said: “I’m interested to see where everyone ended up, especially those people who were friends at school but who I haven’t spoken to for years. I’m colleagues with some of our old teachers now, but it’s just something you get used to it.”
Vice principal Mark Hall, who is organising the alumni anniversary event, said: "We are building a strong alumni community which is a great way for former students to stay in touch with college and old friends.
"This is our first formal alumni event and it's fitting that it's happening in this special year when we're celebrating 25 years since Emmanuel opened. We hope as many former students from the past 25 years will join us as they are all part of this special story."
Emmanuel College is one of the few schools in England to be rated outstanding by Ofsted for its entire history and is the leading state secondary school in Tyne and Wear for exam results.
* Tickets for the event, which starts at 7pm, cost £35 or £30 for HE students and are available to order online at www.eventbrite.co.uk