海角直播

Robert makes a meteoric return

Robert Hodgson first came to the University of 海角直播 aged 11 and a pupil at Ayresome Primary School. Robert and his classmates were visiting the University as part of the Meteor scheme.

Meteor was officially launched by the University in 2000 following a successful pilot. It aims to inspire local primary children to consider further and higher education through a series of activities on the main campus, and by working in their own schools with University student mentors. The pupils then process to a 鈥榤ini-graduation鈥� at Middlesbrough Town Hall to celebrate taking part in Meteor. Seven years on Robert has been invited to return to the University, for a special Meteor celebration of achievement. The celebration, at the Town Hall on Thursday 19 July, will mark seven years since the first official 鈥榤ini-graduations鈥�. Robert will join past and present Meteor pupils and mentors in the procession from the University to the Town Hall at 10am. The procession will include over 415 Year 6 pupils from across the Tees Valley, 16 former Meteor pupils and 14 Mentors.

And Robert aims to return to the University once again this autumn, as a first year student on the BA (Hons) English and Media, marking his transition from Meteor pupil to University undergraduate. He has just sat A levels in Sociology, English Language and Media Studies at Middlesbrough College.

Robert, 18, from Acklam, pictured, will be the first in his family to go to University. He said: 鈥淚 remember coming to the University for the first time, it was massive, a much greater building than my primary school. It had all this technology for the future and made me think about going to the University when I was older. I also remember going to the disco in the Students鈥� Union and my first 鈥榤ini-graduation鈥� at the Town Hall.

鈥満＝侵辈� was my first choice and I think Meteor is a good scheme. It makes it feel that 海角直播 is your local University, that you are clever enough to go to there, or other Universities.鈥�

The procession will set off from the University at 10am on Thursday 19 July, along Albert Road to the Town Hall. All in the procession will be wearing specially-designed Meteor t-shirts. Each past and present pupil will be presented with a small gift and a certificate at the Town Hall ceremony by the University鈥檚 Chancellor, Lord Sawyer of Darlington. For photo opportunities please contact Stephen Laing, Press & Public Relations on 01642 342962, e-mail pr@tees.ac.uk

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