CCAD’s head of higher education development Christine Goult, left, and course leader Andrea Goodwill, who have been awarded MBEs for services to education in the Tees Valley
IT’S a double celebration for a North East art college after two long serving members of staff were named in the Queen’s New Years Honours list.
C
LEVELAND College of Art & Design head of higher education development Christine Goult and course leader Andrea Goodwill are to be honoured at Buckingham Palace after being appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for their services to education. The awards mark a hat-trick of nominations for the internationally renowned college after CCAD curriculum manager Margaret Mineham was honoured with an MBE in 2010. Christine, 58, of Redcar, who has worked at the college for the past 27 years, said: “When I first saw the Government stamped envelope come through the door I thought I’d been called up for jury duty. “Even after I’d opened the letter, read it then re-read it again, I still couldn’t take it all in and had to pass it across to my husband to confirm what it actually said. “It’s all still sinking in but I’m incredibly flattered and extremely touched to be recognised in this way. “I came to CCAD in 1985 and never expected to be still here 27 years later but there is something magical about this place and I am so proud to receive an award for doing a job that I love.” Sworn to secrecy Christine knows that her friends and family will get a similar surprise when the list of honours is published in the London Gazette.
“My husband and my daughter know but that’s it,” said Christine. “I’m really looking forward to going to the palace with them, meeting the Queen and enjoying the whole cultural aspect of the experience as well.”
“I came to CCAD in 1985 and never expected to be still here 27 years later but there is something magical about this place and I am so proud to receive an award for doing a job that I love.” Christine Goult College principal Martin Raby, who nominated Christine for the award, added: “Christine led CCAD’s recent integrated Quality and Enhancement Review and her dedication and attention to detail were the key reasons that we achieved an excellent outcome with judgements of confidence and reliance. “She is that rare combination of a friendly, approachable and supportive line manager who has a keen intellect and is firm but fair. “This makes her both an outstanding member of staff and someone whose shoes will be very difficult to fill on her impending retirement.”