Spectacular passing out parade for class of 2010

The Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Zulfiqar Ali talking to Hopwood Hall College students at their Uniformed Services Passing Out Parade 2010

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Students from Hopwood Hall College’s Uniformed Services course proudly marked the end of their college life with a spectacular ‘Passing out Ceremony’.

Hundreds of parents gathered to watch their sons and daughters take part in the parade.

The ceremony began with the students marching in front of the crowds to the drum beat of the marching band.

Dignitaries from across the North West attended this very special occasion including The Lord Lieutenant for Greater Manchester Mr Warren Smith who described the class of 2010 as a ‘credit to the county.’

Following speeches wishing the students well, awards were given out for:

• Best P.E student 
• Best endeavour 
• Best orienteer 
• Best overall student

Terry Morley, Curriculum Manager for the Uniform Services Department spoke very highly of everybody involved in today’s passing out parade, he said: “They are really exceptional. They have demonstrated their skills so well and the students are of such a high calibre.

“Almost 250 students have passed out today and I am very very proud of them. This is a great college, a great course and of course great staff and great students.”

The audience, filled with proud parents, friends and servicemen were then treated to what can only be described as a fantastic row of event where the pupils got to show off the many skills they had learnt this year. Their talents included a continuity drill, boxercise routines, a circuit routine and a skip jump routine.

Seb Potiszil, 18, from Norden was delighted to have passed out today, he said: “I have had a good time at the college and made some really nice friends. I think today has gone really well and I hope my mum will be really proud of me.”

David Combs was in the audience watching his grandson Daniel, he said: “It has been absolutely fantastic I have been so impressed and the weather has held out to make it a great day.”

Following the demonstrations the audience and pupils of Hopwood Hall were told to ‘look to the sky’ as they were honoured with a performance from the ‘Red Devils’, the Parachute Regiment’s world-famous freefall display team.

The Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Zulfiqar Ali was overwhelmed with the students and the show they put on for the crowd, he said: “It has been a really fascinating afternoon. I am very proud of the students. My thanks go to all participants and I hope what has been on show today can encourage other people to get involved.”

The afternoon ended on a high as Hopwood Halls tug of war team gladly took on volunteers from the audience to show their strength.

Chief Superintendent John O’Hare explained why he thinks this course can be a real help to students.

“At times we are very quick to critise young people and they can get a bad press but the people here today have been so professional and shown real pride.

“It is fantastic for the borough to have such a fantastic course with such fantastic students on it,” he said.

Many of the students will now go on to university however some are brave enough to start applying for the fire and police service, army navy and air force.