Merry ‘Brickmas’ – Construction Department Hosts Christmas Event

In light of the festive season, North Notts College Construction department have hosted a busy Christmas event in their open-space workshop.

With a snow machine, mince pies, hot drinks and festive singalong, the event was attended by hundreds of students and staff from across the college.

Lit by over 1500 candles, three brick trees were created with the support of Construction work-based learners.

Marc Vardy, studying an Advanced Apprenticeship in Brickwork, said, “I like being involved in doing something different on my course in Brickwork – using my skills in building curved work on plan which I also need for my level 3 program.

“It’s nice to show off the work we do in the Construction department and see it enjoyed by a lot of people at this time of year.”

The trees provided a warm backdrop to North Wheatley school choir’s impressive performance of several Christmas and pop songs. Their teacher, Amy Moden, guided the budding students through their festive carolling.

She said, “Our pupils loved the event and have been looking forward to it for some time. We have been rehearsing for this in our after school choir club led by Jessica Brett since the start of the half term and couldn’t wait to perform our songs and dances to an audience.

“We hope that we will be invited back in the future as we love to join with the community especially at this time of the year. The staff and pupils of North Wheatley C of E Primary would like to wish all at North Notts College a very Merry Christmas.”

North Notts College Early Learner’s Centre children were also part of the bustling audience. Julie Ward, Nursery Manager, supervised them in a specially-built viewing area.

Julie said, “We really enjoyed the event and even sang along to some of the songs that we knew; some of our children enjoyed a little jig! It always makes me feel like Christmas is here when we hear the children singing!

“Our student Alice said she liked the man who gave us the presents! Well done to the Construction department for the creation of the brick trees and thank you for our invitation.”

The event required plenty of organisation. Martin Lane, Construction Curriculum Team Leader, led the detailed process of preparing the snow machine, setting up the Crèche viewing area and encouraged work-based learner involvement in building the impressive Christmas trees.

Martin said, “Everyone at the college has been invited. It is also the second time North Wheatley school choir’s performed at this event. It is wonderful to see them back; many people in the audience were singing with the children.

“Seeing students put hard work in to help build the brick Christmas trees has made me proud. These are the kinds of memories that stick with people – whether it is the students who helped build the trees, the invited college students and staff or the visiting choir.”

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