News Founders Day Celebrated At Collyer’s 30.04.2026

Students and staff at Collyer’s have been celebrating Founder’s Day, in memory of Richard Collyer, who founded the leading institution in 1532. Collyer’s year 13 students attended leavers’ events and a fair, to say farewell to one another.

The presentations were hosted by student union representatives Zara Chikezie and James Murphy (RCU Co-Presidents), with the Founder’s Remembrance read by Deputy Principal Steve Martell. Collyer’s 360 Awards were hosted by Vice Principal (Pastoral) Andrea John, and presented by Steve Martell and the Head of Wellbeing Support, Helen Bolger. Students picked up prizes for taking part in Enrichment activities or having taken on a student leadership role across the year. The Founder’s Ceremony Technical Manager was Marcus Bell.

Steve Martell said: “Founder’s Day has been an important event in the Collyer’s calendar for nearly five hundred years and I’m delighted that the students had such a wonderful time.”

The Collyer’s Choir, directed by Mark Bradbury, accompanied by pianist Alison Sutton, performed Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, arranged by Matt and Adam Pond, and Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, arranged by Roger Emerson. To conclude proceedings the Choir performed Louder Than Words by Jonathan Larson, arranged by Mac Uff.

After the presentations students enjoyed events including music from the Jazz band and Music Practitioners students, food, entertainment, ice cream van, mini golf, retro sports day, inflatable obstacle course, juggling, photobooth and a football shoot-out on the college playing fields. The fair was organised by Collyer’s RCU (student union) Executive, Emma Iaverone, Rebecca Adams and Andrea John.

Andrea John, Vice Principal (Pastoral) said: “Massive thanks to the teams responsible for making this year’s leavers’ presentation and fair so memorable for our departing students!”

Photo credits : Tilly Stone