A graduation ceremony with a difference took place at St German’s Cathedral in Peel last night.
All those wearing gowns and mortarboards and proudly celebrating their achievements were aged five to 14.
The 71 children attending were among the latest cohort to graduate from the Children’s University, which was launched in the Isle of Man three years ago.
They celebrated clocking up thousands of hours of Children’s University learning.
Children’s University rewards young people’s participation in activities that take place outside the school day. Children purchase passports and gain stamps by visiting validated ‘public learning destinations’. Certificates charting their progress are awarded at graduation ceremonies.
Children also gain stamps by attending their own schools’ lunchtime and after-school activities, provided their school is a Children’s University partner.
Membership of Children’s University gives passport-holders access to accredited learning destinations and events across the UK and beyond.
Children’s learning accrues, their first award being for 30+ hours and the highest for 730+ hours.
Dr Jeremy Paul, chancellor of the Isle of Man Children’s University, presented the certificates. Also taking part in the ceremony were Tim Crookall MLC, Minister for Education and Children, Debbie Bird, Head of Local Support and Development from the Children’s University nationally, and John Gill, a local trustee.
Businesses that have kindly supported Children’s University in the Island also attended. They included: Scottish Widows, which sponsored the children’s caps and gowns, provided volunteer helpers at the ceremony and purchased cakes for the reception that followed the ceremony; Shoprite and Finishing Touches, which also supported the reception.
