Steel Signing Ceremony

“A huge investment in our community, in our children, in our future.”
Colette Burgess, Principal of The Oldham Academy North

10 lucky students from The Oldham Academy North were at the forefront of the historic steel signing ceremony which took place on Tuesday 1st November 2011 at the new academy building in Royton. Colette Burgess described the students as ‘our future’ and talked about how proud she is to be the Principal of The Oldham Academy North. The students were: Abdullah Hussain (SD6), Ziarmal Nasseri (T2), Saagar Das (7.1), Rafi Raihan (7.6), Thameah Begum (T6), Rebecca Woodall (S2), Demi Burrows (S2), Shahla Sadeq (M3), Feiruz Abdullahi (S4) and Deboroh Kabisek (T6). They were chauffeured to the new site in the Academy minibus, accompanied by Miss Smalley, Miss Goulden, Mr Lancaster and Mr Wright – the latter two armed with their cameras to capture this very special occasion.

Irfan Chishti MBE, the academy’s Community Cohesion Advisor welcomed everyone and introduced Tim Nicholson, Willmott Dixon Construction Manager. Tim gave an update on how the new building work is progressing and unveiled the 68 kg steel beam ready for everyone to sign. The steel beam is the last of the 350 tons of steel that make up the internal structure.

Our very own, very excited and extremely proud Principal, Colette Burgess addressed the audience. She began by welcoming everybody to “our new building” and then thanked the Architects, AEDAS and the builders, Willmott Dixon for delivering such a magnificent space.

She talked about how she sat with the architects a year ago, explaining what she wanted this building to be and how it must serve both the educational needs of the children and the wider interests of the community - “A community school for the people of Royton and Oldham.”

Ms Burgess said “this is a huge milestone and I feel quite emotional standing here. This building is exactly what I hoped it would be – a place to deliver world class education in a state-of-the art building.”

Royton Councillors Mr Bernard Judge, Mr Tony Larkin and Mrs Olwen Chadderton attended, along with Westwood Councillor Montaz Azad. Councillor Judge said that the new building and its facilities were very welcome to Royton and that he was particularly looking forward to the new theatre space and 3G sports pitch. Mr Azad said that he was looking forward to the opening of the new building and improved educational facilities for students.

Ms Burgess then introduced E-ACT Director General, Sir Bruce Liddington. He complimented the students on how smart they students looked and joked that their children may well attend this new school in the future! Sir Bruce has been closely involved with The Oldham Academy North project from its inception and commended Oldham Council’s “most ambitious, courageous plans to move a school from where it is dominated by just one part of the community to an area where it will be genuinely mixed, genuinely comprehensive and genuinely accessible to all communities.”

Sir Bruce, who appointed the Principal, Colette Burgess to her post, talked about how buildings alone do not make outstanding schools – it is the teachers, school leaders, students and community who do. He declared himself confident that The Oldham Academy North will be an excellent school and the jewel in the E-ACT crown.
After the formal speeches, it was time for the historic signing. Colette Burgess and Sir Bruce Liddington began the signing and then all present had the opportunity to add their name to the steel that will remain part of the building for many years to come.

All the guests were invited to share an excellent lunch provided by The Meat and Potato Pie Company, Royton and served by our very polite and efficient student attendants. Shortly afterwards, the autographed steel beam was lifted into place - a fitting end to the day and the beginning of a new future for The Oldham Academy North.

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