Nursery graduations at the University
Published: 12 August 2020
Children and their parents celebrate an important milestone in their education journey
There have been graduations at the University’s Nursery for years – possibly as far back as the 1990s - and this year was no exception.
Twenty children who are now ready to move on to Primary 1 had their own graduation ceremony last week (Tuesday, 4 August), watched by proud parents and nursery staff.
Following social distancing rules, they paraded in their graduation gowns and hats to be presented with their scrolls by Robert Garnish, the University’s Commercial Services Director, and Karen Lury, Professor of Film and Television Studies and Chair of the Nursery Committee. Karen’s daughter Delilah filmed the ceremony for the University’s social media team.
Nursery manager Caroline McVeigh said: “For the children moving on to school it has been sad that they have missed their last few months with us at the nursery. Most of the children graduating have attended the nursery from a young age and it has been a pleasure helping and supporting them grow and develop into the confident boys and girls they are now, ready for the next chapter of their lives – one that may bring them back to the University of Glasgow in the future.”
She added: “We wanted to do something special for the children and have our annual graduation celebration so that the children did not miss out and that they would get the opportunity to say goodbye to their friends and the nursery staff before starting school. Lots of the children have seen previous nursery graduations and been there when their older brothers and sisters have graduated from the University Nursery.” 
Despite the rain, the nursery parents were delighted with how the ceremony had gone.
"After the experience of lockdown it was wonderful to see the children back together again and able to celebrate their move to primary school. The nursery staff and university did a wonderful job putting it together," said Dannielle MacPherson, parent of Olivia.
"It was an emotional day watching our boy graduate at the University. Stunning setting and a brilliant graduation ceremony, a very special experience. What an amazing end to a very important chapter of his education journey. Couldn't ask for a better group of people to nurture and educate our boy. Hopefully he will return and graduate there again one day!" said Janine and Leeann Stevenson-Brennan, parents of Shay.
"It was great for the children to see old friends and have a chance to say goodbye to each other and to their teachers before starting school. Thanks to all the nursery staff and to the University for making this happen," Tereza Neocleous, parent of Christopher
The nursery reopened on 10 August with extra safety measures in place, in line with the Scottish Government’s guidelines and advice.
Professor Lury said: “The nursery is fundamental to the community within the University itself. It is the one place where you have a really international spread of parents – a community which includes students and staff. The graduation ceremony was important because it is a sign that things are beginning to go back to normal.”
First published: 12 August 2020