Topping Out Ceremony marks a milestone

  • From left Rhianna Lenham (Role Model Student), Sarah Nelson (Head Girl) and Joshua Cook (Head Boy).
  • From Left Roy Perry (Morgan Sindall), Joshua Cook, Rhianna Lenham, Sarah Nelson and Kevin Lister (Headteacher).
  • Sam Whitaker (Esteem) delivers his speech.
  • Roy Perry (Morgan Sindall) delivers his speech.

Today a 'Topping Out Ceremony' was held on the roof of the NEW Andrew Marvell College. The ceremony marks a huge milestone for the construction of the new building as it formally celebrates the highest point of the building being completed.

'Topping Out' ceremonies are highly regarding amongst all involved in the creation of beacon buildings.  The practice of "topping out" a new building can be traced to the ancient Scandinavian religious practice of placing a tree on the top of a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits of their ancestors that had been displaced. Today, trees are not always planted and instead formal speeches are held to celebrate and praise the completion.

Many enjoyed the uplifting speeches whilst admiring the view from the highest point of the building.  The speeches made by Roy Perry (Morgan Sindall), Councillor Helene O’Mullane, Kevin Lister (Headteacher of Andrew Marvell) and Sam Whitaker (Esteem) were full of excitement for the future of the college which is on track to open January 2013.