Cornelius Vermuyden School Hosts the Canvey Children’s University Graduation Ceremony

Mr I Hockey, Deputy Headteacher
May 24, 2018

Carol Skewes, Headteacher at Cornelius Vermuyden School, funded the initial set up of the Canvey Children’s University scheme seven years ago. The aim of the scheme is to encourage all children aged 4 - 14 years on Canvey Island to try new experiences, develop new interests and acquire new skills through participation in imaginative and creative learning activities outside of the school day.

Twice each year over 2 days, over one hundred young people and their parents and families attend the Graduation Ceremony held at Cornelius Vermuyden School. The ceremonies this year took place on 22 and 23 May with Mr Ian Hockey, Deputy Headteacher opened the evening and gave the address as the Master of Ceremony.

After the introduction and the grand entrance which involved graduates filing down the staircase to the music of ‘The Cornelius Rhapsody’, Mr Hockey invited the graduates on stage to receive their awards. For many, this was their first experience of a graduation as they achieved their first 30 hours gaining a National Bronze Award but many of the students had achieved well over 100 hours with one student actually completing in excess of 1800 hours, receiving the National Platinum Alumni Master Degree.

Several of the graduates delivered speeches to the audience explaining how they have achieved their hours and how Children’s University has been part of their lives, they also thanked their families for their support without which they would not be standing in front of the audience today.

The young people are honoured at the ceremony, wearing graduation gowns and hats as they receive their certificate awarded by the Children’s University board.

The Reverend Marion Walford was guest speaker and assisted Sharan Parsons, Canvey Schools Partnership and organiser of the event, to present the graduates with their certificates

Thank you to the Cornelius Vermuyden School staff who helped and supported the event:- and the many Cornelius Year 9 students who volunteered their time to help support the event ensuring that the evening was a resounding success.

A fantastic evening!

Cornelius Vermuyden students collected many hours of extra-curricular activities.

Elyza Maryson - 1500

Scarlett Read - 1700

James Dyne - 600

Cameron Daykin-Woodberry - 1800

Above is number of hours it is final graduation for Elyza and Scarlett – and Cameron is the highest graduate so far! I believe most of his is for Karate.

Scarlett Read and Elyza Maryson gave passionate speeches about children’s university and how they have benefitted from the programme.

It will be Scarlett’s last CU she said “I am getting too old now”.. Scarlett you are never too old….

Well done everyone.

Elyza Maryson

Hello, my name is Elyza. I have been going to the Children’s University graduations since it began. Being a Children’s University has helped me gain confidence in everything that I’ve enjoyed doing.

I have attended many clubs over the years and I enjoyed every single one of them. I’ve achieved and tried new things I never thought I could.

I’m now going to Canvey Air Cadets and I’m also part of the Castle Point Youth Council. In school, I’ve been attending music and history clubs to help me with my GCSEs.

I would like to thank my family (mostly mum) for supporting me and getting me to the clubs on time. I wish my little brother good luck since he is now starting the Children’s University and I hope that one day he has managed to get the same amount of hours as me or more.

I also wish good luck to all of the children who are taking part in these graduations and I hope that you will all keep going to clubs after your time at Children’s University.

And remember this: “Every day is a creative act, a step closer to becoming who you want to be”.

Thank you for listening to my speech.

Scarlett Read

My name is Scarlett Read. I am 13 and am a Year 9 student here at the Cornelius Vermuyden school. I have been part of the Children’s University and have been to all the graduations since it began at the Paddocks. I started my first passport on 19 June 2012 and in six years I have collected 1700 hours of extra-curricular activities.

I am so glad to have been able to be given the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing organisation. Over the years I have done so many activities to gain all the hours. This includes dancing, singing, acting, trampolining, gymnastics, swimming, gardening, going to the library and more. The main activity has been dancing where I have attended Garland Theatre School and Star Studios of Performing Arts.

Most recently I have enjoyed learning to cook and bake at Budding Chefs on Canvey Island. My mum will agree that this after school activity will be more helpful as I definitely need more practise in the kitchen. I have been known to be looking for a fork which I’d put in a bowl in the microwave making soup, which isn’t ideal.

Going into Year 7, I wasn’t sure whether or not to carry on with the Children’s University, but when Mrs Skewes said she would love more pupils to participate, it motivated me to carry on to the end. So, to all the younger children who have been a part of it for a while or only just beginning, carry on and do it until you aren’t allowed to do it anymore. Be like me, because this is my last graduation, which is why I’m up here talking to you now.

I would like to thank Sharan Parsons for running this and making everything possible for us all. So, the last thing I would like to say is congratulations to everyone, whether you have 30 hours or 1,800, every achievement matters. So enjoy yourself and have a wonderful evening.