Posted 15 July 2024

Calderdale College’s Inspire Awards, held on the evening of Thursday, 4 July, are its annual event to highlight their students’ many successes during 2023-24. They were not just a showcase of student talent and achievement, but a public demonstration of community and engagement. I attended a packed Victoria Theatre in the centre of Halifax and was delighted to join in the sense of achievement and appreciation from the staff and students. 

The event was hosted by Karl Veltman, the College’s Deputy Principal and Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY) Board member, with two student co-hosts. I was impressed not just by the confidence and skill of these students, but also that the College had thought to give them such a fantastic opportunity on a big stage. Partnership with and opportunity for students remained a key theme throughout the evening. 

The event kicked off with an energetic performance by College music degree students, The Caymans, who were in the news not too long ago after opening for The Libertines in Leeds: a great way to demonstrate the college’s Higher Education course offer in action.  

Each subsequent award was sponsored by a local business, many of whom turned up in person to present the winner. The sheer number of nominees in each category – all of whom were recognised with a certificate – showed that this event is something taken seriously and supported by the staff. There were some emotional moments too, including the stories of hardships overcome. This was not least exemplified in the choir formed by Ukrainian students on the college’s ESOL programme, who performed ‘Hallelujah’ in both Ukrainian and English. 

I left with the feeling of just how proud Calderdale College is of their students and staff, and of being such an important part of their community. Being held right before the summer break, I saw the event as an excellent reminder of the importance of education institutions as not just anchors within their local communities, but as having a real and positive impact in the lives of their students as individuals. This is the reason that so many of us work in education.  

 

Helen Sykes, Head of GHWY