Graduation checklist: Get prepared for the big event
With less than two weeks to go until our glittering graduation ceremony, excitement is building across RNN Group.
We can’t wait to celebrate the academic achievements of our higher education learners at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Thursday 28th November.
We are so proud of the Class of 2024 who are graduating with degrees, higher level apprenticeships, and professional qualifications in sectors such as accounting and business, animal management, art and graphics, caring professions, computing, education, engineering and media, moving image and photography.
Before you don your cap and gown, here’s a handy checklist to help graduands from University Centre Rotherham, Rotherham College, Dearne Valley College and North Notts College prepare for the big event.
Things to do before graduation
Graduation essentials
By now, you should have already sorted the essentials for graduation: confirmed your attendance, booked tickets for your guests, ordered your cap and gown, and pre-booked any professional photographs.
For any queries regarding your academic dress or photographs, please contact our chosen supplier, Graduation Attire, who will be able to assist you. Call 01234 880956
Make a note of the date and time
Our graduation ceremonies are on Thursday 28th November. Take note of which graduation ceremony your department will be part of. There will be a morning session at 10am and an afternoon session at 2.30pm. You don’t want to be late, miss it or turn up to the wrong one!
Choose your outfit
Have you thought about what you might wear for graduation? Graduation is a day to celebrate you, so we encourage you to wear something that reflects your personality.
Remember that you’ll be able to see your clothing under your graduation gown, so hoodies, trackies and trainers aren’t the best drip on this occasion. Choose something very mindful, very demure, very graduation appropriate. And have it planned in plenty of time to avoid that last minute panic the night before.
It’s also a good idea to consider your footwear. There are a lot of stairs at the New York Stadium and you’ll also be walking across a small stage to collect your formal qualification from our principal, Jason Austin. Comfort is king, so it might not be wise to wear shoes you’ve not yet broken in or look amazing but kill your feet. Neither do you want to trip, slip, or get a heel caught in your gown.
Hot tip: remember to pack a few safety pins to secure your sash. There’s nothing more irritating than having to keep readjusting it throughout the ceremony.
Make childcare arrangements
Graduation is a time to celebrate with family and friends. However, it is a 90-minute ceremony and we all know how young children can be when they’re made to sit and be quiet for long periods of time.
Unfortunately, children under five won’t be permitted in the ceremony room, so be mindful of this if you have young children or siblings. This includes babies.
If you can’t make any childcare arrangements for them during the ceremony, we will have a special social lounge where young children are welcome. They will need to be accompanied by an adult, so please make your guests aware of this. The ceremony will be live streamed into the lounge so they don’t miss you receiving your award.
You can also direct other family members and friends to the live stream link for those who can’t make the graduation ceremony.
Things to do on the day of graduation
Get there in plenty of time
We advise you arrive at New York Stadium 90 minutes before your ceremony start time to allow for check-in, gown collection and photographs.
If you’re coming by car, there will be stewards on the Main Street entrance who will give you a parking permit to place in your car during the ceremony.
Don’t forget to have your confirmation email to hand as you will need it to collect your tickets and seat number from the registration desk. You’ll also need your gown hire order number.
We also recommend you and your guests arrive together so you can ensure everyone has a paper ticket to get into the ceremony room.
Pay attention to the ushers
Graduation is a busy event, with over 100 of our students attending, plus lots of RNN staff, governors, and your chosen guests. That’s a lot of people to manage.
Our staff put so much prep work into ensuring the ceremony runs smoothly. On the day, there will be ushers wearing purple gowns.
They will direct you to the gowning room, the pre-ceremony social lounge, and your assigned seat in the ceremony room. You will be sat with your course mates in a particular seating plan to comply with the running order of the event. The ushers will then call you up when it is your time to go on stage.
Your guests will also be directed where to sit. If you or your guests have any questions, the ushers will be able to help.
Don’t take anything on stage
When you are called up to collect your qualification, it is very important you don’t have anything in your hands as you’ll need to shake hands with the principal, Jason, who is presenting your award.
Please leave all phones at your seat or ideally with your guests. If you don’t have pockets and can’t bear to part with your device, bring a small bag.
Remember to smile!
As you go on stage to collect your qualification, you’ll stop to have your photo taken. So get practicing your best smile and pose – and try not to be nervous. There will also be photographers and videographers capturing the entire event.
Take lots of photos
If you’ve booked a professional photo package, these will take place before the ceremony. This includes any family photos you have selected.
Graduation is an amazing achievement and you’ll want to remember it. Be sure to take loads of photos on your phone or personal camera before and after the ceremony with your family, friends and tutors.
There will also be chance to take some photos pitch side after the ceremony – the perfect setting for that obligatory mortar board toss!
Tag us in any photos you upload to social media:
Dearne Valley College social media channels
University Centre Rotherham social media channels
Return your cap and gown – then it’s celebration time!
There will be a drinks reception after the ceremony in the social lounge and we’d love you to stay and celebrate with us.
Before you leave New York Stadium, please ensure you return your cap and gown unless you have pre-booked an extended hire or have purchased them to keep.
We hope your celebrations continue after the event. There are some great places to grab a bite to eat or drink in the nearby town centre, from Thai and Indian food to banging burritos and Insta-worthy burgers.
As it’s a Thursday, our college restaurant, The Wharncliffe, will also be open during the evening. Our catering and hospitality students from Rotherham College offer a real fine dining experience, the perfect way to celebrate your graduation. The be popular festive menu will be on, with four courses for £25.95. Book your table at The Wharncliffe by emailing wharncliffe@rnngroup.ac.uk or calling 01709 722767.
Who is the guest speaker for 2024?
This year, we delighted to be announce that award-winning songwriter and musician, Eliot Kennedy, is our chosen guest speaker.
Eliot, who hails from Sheffield and went to Dinnington High School, has had an astounding career in the music industry.
During our graduation ceremonies, Eliot will talk about running his own recording studio and how he’s written songs for some of pop’s biggest names, including the Spice Girls, Celine Dion, Bryan Adams, Blue and S Club 7.
He won an Ivor Novello award in 1996 for a song written for Boyzone, and a Grammy award in 2006 for a song performed by Aretha Franklin and Mary J Blige.
You might have seen Eliot and his best friend Gary Barlow on ITV recently with their wine tour of South Africa. We hope Eliot has a very nice day out at our graduation ceremonies.
We’ll also be joined by the mayor and deputy mayor of Rotherham, the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, and representatives from our awarding universities: Huddersfield, Hull and Sheffield Hallam.