Alumni return to Sunderland school to help inspire new generation at speed networking event
Formers pupils of all ages from Southmoor Academy returned to the school to help inspire a new generation of future alumni.
The Alumni Breakfast earlier this month (March) saw more than 30 former pupils travel from as far afield as London to meet with the school’s Year 7 students.
The ‘speed networking’ event allowed pupils the chance to hear from successful former pupils who’ve enjoyed an array of different careers as well as asking them questions about their jobs, time at the school and any careers advice linked to their chosen profession.
Assistant headteacher Simon Wareham said: “We always value our former students giving up their time to come into school to engage with our current students.
“Many have busy daily lives, so the fact that they were able to give up three hours to join us was brilliant.
“We know that our students really benefitted from hearing the advice from our visitors and the opportunity to practise engaging with visitors to the school.
“We are really looking forward to the next event as many former students would like to come back and support other activities, including our upcoming Year 10 and 12 Mock Interviews.”
Pupils enjoyed ten minutes chatting to each guest before moving on to the next table.
Mr Wareham added: “Our visitors gave some wonderful feedback afterwards, such as how inquisitive and engaged the students were and how they were all really keen to ask questions and listen carefully to the responses.
“As some of our visitors had not been back into the school for over 30 years, there was an opportunity to have a walk around school to see how much, or how little, it has changed over the years and reminisce about lessons and teachers in different classrooms.
“It was also interesting to see how parts of the school, such as the gym, have never changed, which brought back many memories.
“It is always amazing to find out what our former students have been doing since leaving school – this includes chief executive officers, council leaders, lecturers, accountants, chefs, civil servants, chemists, police officers, charity workers, hairdressers, engineers, and so many more.”