'There's so many memories - It's been a pleasure': Wolverhampton College staff say teary farewell before moving into new state-of-the-art campus
Dozens of staff members have bid a poignant farewell to the Wolverhampton College Paget Road Campus.
Around 90 staff members attended a final farewell lunch to say goodbye to the Paget Road Campus of Wolverhampton College.
The campus officially closed its doors on Thursday, marking the final day of a building that has educated the city's knowledge-hungry youth since 1962.
The closure comes as staff members prepare to move into the new purpose-built and state-of-the-art £61 million City Learning Quarter campus on Tuesday, November 4.
Sat with friends and colleagues, staff members packed into the college's cafeteria to share food, drinks, and stories of teaching and working at the school, some for more than 30 years.
Among those to attend was Sue Spragg, aged 56, who started at the college as a student when she was 16, before going on to be employed as a curriculum manager for A Levels in access and home education.
She said: "I actually came here when I was 16 to do my GCSEs, and then I went off for further education, came back for teacher training, and over 28 years I've never left. This place is amazing. It's been a pleasure.
"I owe a real gratitude to this school, and I made some amazing relationships with amazing people. The emotions are very mixed. I would walk around and go, 'I used to sit there', so it's very emotional.
"The new location is brilliant, I can't find my way around at the moment, but it's going to be great for the students, everything is so new. It's going to give them the best experience we can."
Visitors to the event were treated to tasty snacks, drinks, and a range of keepsakes from the Paget Road campus to reminisce over.
Wendy Harris started at the college in 2004, she said: "I think it's joy that everyone is feeling, really, and nostalgia.
"I started here in 2004. There are lots of memories, but my favourite is working with all of my colleagues. It's been amazing. We can't wait to move into the new building."
Pali Kaur, curriculum manager of business and sports, has been at the facility for 32 years and remembers moving to the Paget Road site when it merged with Bilston College in September 1999.
She said: "I actually worked at Bilston College when it merged with Wolverhampton College. The move to the city centre college will be my third building.
"I think nostalgia is the right word to use. There is a lot of history here. Everyone is sharing stories of the times we have had. But I think everyone is excited to move to the new building.
"There are two memories that I consider my favourite, the first is when the championship cup was brought here for Wolves, and looking after and working with my business team."
Reflecting on six decades of educating the region's students, the Principal and Chief Executive at Wolverhampton College, said: "It's hard to believe that college life at Paget Road has now come to an end.
"Over the years, this building, its classrooms and its corridors have become so much more than just places for learning.
"They're places where friendships have been built, lessons learned, and problems overcome. For many, it has become a second home.
"I would like to thank you all for your commitment, your resilience, and for making these years at Paget Road the best they could possibly be."
The new city centre college campus will officially open on Tuesday, November 4.
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