A COLLEGE manager is hoping to recruit former school friends back into the classroom to help celebrate a Teesside Academy’s tenth anniversary.
Stockton Sixth Form College marketing manager Samantha Hockney is one of hundreds of former students who are planning to re-unite with old classmates and teachers at The King’s Academy ten year celebration.
Samantha, who has kept in touch with many of her old classmates since leaving the academy, is now busy spreading the word for people to get in touch and register for the reunion party.
“I heard about the reunion at The King’s through Facebook and thought it was a great idea,” said Samantha, 25, of Norton.
“The academy has gone through a really successful journey since I started there ten years ago and it will be great to get everyone together and find out what they have been up to since then.”
Samantha, who studied English language and media communications at Newcastle University before travelling the world and undertaking work experience at The Times newspaper, now works with students looking to further their own education at Stockton Sixth Form College.
“My job here is perfect,” she said. “I originally wanted to be either a teacher or a journalist and now I get to oversee the college’s public relations, their marketing and social media and also get to work with the students so it’s an ideal mix.
“Looking back I think I caught the bug for English from Mrs Granville, my English teacher at The King’s Academy, who was passionate about the subject.
“That really sowed the seed for my love of writing which has continued ever since.”
To celebrate ten years since The King’s Academy opened it is hosting a reunion for all former pupils and staff on Saturday, April 26 2014 at 3pm in the main school hall.
“I’ve been looking at the reunion website and it’s great to see that so many people are planning to turn up,” added Samantha.
Former students and staff can register their place at the reunion, and find out more information, at www.thekingsacademyreunion.org.uk
