Hats off as Minehead students celebrate graduation day

The 24 students who graduated from Aurora Foxes Hospitality and Catering College were joined by more than 250 fellow students, teachers, family and friends to mark the occasion.

Aurora Foxes is a specialist college for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and has a fully operational hotel where students gain practical experience in hospitality as well as building the confidence to succeed in future employment.

Guest speaker at the graduation ceremony was Steve Cassidy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Hilton in the UK and Ireland. Hilton and Aurora Foxes recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of a partnership that’s seen the prestigious hotel chain create work placements and support individuals with learning disabilities to launch successful careers in the company’s hotels.

He said: “It was an honour to attend the graduation ceremony and celebrate the achievements of this year’s inspiring graduates. It was great to see their confidence, resilience, and purpose, which will carry them a long way as they look to embark on a career in the hospitality industry.”

During the ceremony, Mr Cassidy presented two new student awards: the Waldorf Hilton Award for Service Excellence, won by Arianna Harkin; and another recognising culinary excellence, won by Ashley Garrard.

Later, the graduates, along with their family and friends, were treated to a ‘Wild West’ themed drinks reception at the college featuring themed cocktails and mocktails created by Hilton staff. The day finished with a disco at Minehead Rugby Club.

Foxes Administration and Marketing Assistant Florence Whittaker, who led the organising team, described the event as wonderful and said it was the culmination of a lot of effort. “The feedback we had from the graduates and their families was incredibly positive.”

Congratulating the graduates, Aurora Foxes Principal Mark Costello said it was a privilege to watch his students “learn, try, stumble, rise again, and achieve things some of you once thought was beyond your reach.”

Several students will move on to employment with Hilton following graduation. Among them, Josh Alexander will be joining Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Maija Burke will take up a role at Hilton Kensington, and Molly Byrne will begin work at Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport. These opportunities were secured following successful Easter work placements, arranged collaboratively by Aurora Foxes’ Transition Team and Hilton HR Operations Manager (UK & Ireland), Esther Brittan MBE.

In addition to those moving into employment with Hilton, several other graduates from Aurora Foxes have secured roles with a range of local and national employers. Others have chosen to pursue apprenticeships, supported internships, or volunteering opportunities within their local communities.

Mark said: “These varied and meaningful destinations reflect the strength of the college’s transition support and the determination of its students to take confident steps into adulthood. Each pathway represents a significant achievement and a positive move towards greater independence and inclusion in the workplace and wider society.”