As part of Bede’s 50th anniversary celebrations we are sharing recollections from former staff and students from across the years.
Here we caught up with former teacher, manager and ultimately acting director Andrew Panayi…
Having spent 23 years at Bede, I know how special this college is to both students and staff, past and present.
I started my career at Bede in the original building situated in Hale Road and I have fond memories of the many students who passed through these doors and went onto successful careers.
One special memory for me was when my son, James, who studied at the college and was chosen by his physics teacher, Dr Geoffrey Heywood, to fly in an RAF Tornado plane. The event involved a group of students who had been invited to visit RAF Leeming by a former Bede student who had become a Wing Commander.
Although there have been many changes over the years, the ethos and culture of this small sixth form college has never changed. Bede provides an invaluable further education experience to Billingham and the wider community and always puts students at the heart of what it does.
Bede became an integral part of my career and I will always be grateful for the opportunity it gave me. It was an honour and privilege to work alongside so many professional, dedicated and conscientious colleagues. I was fortunate to progress from teaching into a number of management and leadership roles culminating in being appointed acting director before I retired in 2018.
Bede is a special place where students are guaranteed to thrive and develop. I will always have fond memories of the college and its reassuring to see that it continues to reflect Bede’s original motto of being “caring, friendly and successful”. Celebrating its 50th academic year is a major achievement and I am confident Bede will continue to flourish and wish it every success in the future.
Do you have fond memories of your own time at Bede Sixth Form College? We would love to hear from you. Email: Marie.Turbill@the-etc.ac.uk
