Student trio celebrate ‘passing- out’ parade

A TRIO of Oldham students have “passed out” in spectacular style at Hopwood Hall College.

Callum Barnett (17), Leanne Palfrey (20) and Gemma Salway (16) all received top honours on their uniformed public sector courses.

All three were presented at the college’s “passing out” ceremony with Callum accepting a Best Endeavour (level 1) award by the mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Carol Elizabeth Wardle.

Leanne was presented with Year 2 Best Outdoor Education (level 3) and Gemma was awarded Year 1 Best Student (level 3).

They joined hundreds of fellow students at the ceremony with 1,000 guests — including drummer Lee Rigby’s mum Lynn, and husband Ian Rigby, and the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Barry Dixon.

The event began with 240 students marching on to the parade ground, to the beat of a full RAF cadet marching band.

Centre director for sports and public services, Terry Morley, said “This was another fantastic year even though the RAF Falcons could not parachute in due to low cloud.”