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Nescot students and staff enjoyed a day of celebration to mark the college's 70th anniversary on 22 March. They took part in a variety of themed events throughout the day, organised by various curriculum areas that included activities, exhibitions and displays.
The day began with everyone being welcomed onto campus for a jive masterclass in a ‘flash mob’ style dance routine led by our Performing Arts students in Skills Park that featured a range of displays. These included memories of long-serving staff; ‘Then and Now’ an experimental photographic exhibition from our archives by our Creative Media students; a ‘Healthcare play through the years’ exhibition and creations by our Construction teams from Plastering, Plumbing and Electrical Installation that included a 70th anniversary plaque and light display and copper pipe sculptures. The college’s Learning Resource Centre also featured a display on 1953 – What a Year! Including a 50s Spotify playlist.
Our Level 1 and 2 Catering students baked and decorated 70 delectable cupcakes to mark the occasion. Students and staff could also, avail of 1950s makeovers by our Hair and Beauty students in our salons, attend an interactive quiz in the newly opened Institute of Technology organised by our Computing students, watch our Art students create Still Life drawings and take part in a five-a-side football match organised by our Sports students in the MUGA. Even the sheep on our farm got dressed in purple for our 70th anniversary courtesy our Level 1 Land-based Animal Care students.
The Foundation Department took part in a 1950s themed disco and the Early Years team created a very colourful display using pebble painting. Nescot’s on-site nursery, Nestots also joined in the celebrations with a purple-themed party where the children made decorations and created a 70s formation in the garden.
A Robin Hood kit car loving restored by our Motor Vehicle team looked amazing on campus. The car was donated to the college by Epsom and Ewell School earlier this year. Level 1 and 2 Motor Vehicle students under the expert guidance of staff sympathetically restored the car to give it a new lease of life.
Students and staff also enjoyed a 1950s themed lunch thanks to caterers Aramark with menu choices of Toad in the Hole, vegetarian Cottage Pie, Apple Crumble and Custard and Trifle that were a treat.
During the week, our Plumbing apprentices had a retro lesson using steel pipes and older tools with instructions from the 1950s. They all felt that even though the tasks were physically demanding than currently used tools, they acquired new skills and an appreciation of the history of their trade.
A highlight of the 70th anniversary celebrations was the commemorative tree planting of a silver birch in the college grounds, by the Mayor Epsom & Ewell, Councillor Rob Geleit along with Julie Kapsalis, Principal and CEO of Nescot and Chris Muller, Chair of Nescot Corporation. They were joined by three students, Donna from our Supported Internship programme; Kirsty from Access to Nursing and Anna from Catering selected for outstanding achievements in their courses this term.
Julie Kapsalis said, “Our 70th anniversary celebrations have been the highlight of another incredible term at Nescot showcasing the wonderful skills of our students and staff. I think it is really important to mark anniversaries such as this and especially our platinum one.”
Nescot began life as Ewell County Technical College, with the first students beginning courses in September 1953 and the establishment being formally opened the following March. Explore the college’s rich history, evolution of education and community engagement on our website here.