Former care classmates reunite at NESCol 43 years on

August 1, 2024

It was a trip down memory lane for Curriculum Manager, Diane Beattie, and four of her classmates, as they returned to the College 43 years after they studied together.

The group visited Aberdeen City Campus for a reunion at the end of May to celebrate their friendship and successful careers at the place where it all began.

Back in the 1980s, before the inception of North East Scotland College (NESCol), Aberdeen City Campus was known as Aberdeen Technical College. This is where Diane embarked on the two-year Nursery Nurse course and met what would become her lifelong friends. The five have been close ever since, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs and their career journeys.

After her studies, Diane worked in various roles in the care sector before joining the care department at Banff and Buchan College in 2001. This would later become NESCol’s Fraserburgh Campus after the colleges officially merged in 2013. For the past decade, Diane has been in the Curriculum Manager for Care role at Fraserburgh Campus, while her friends have also continued to work in the care sector.

The five former care students sitting round a table in NESCol's childcare department

With over 40 years of individual experience, Diane often calls on her former college classmates to support NESCol’s care courses, including offering student placements.

One member of the group pursued a career as a Nurse and later a Midwife, before recently returning to her roots as an Early Years Practitioner. She conducts workshops for students, sharing her expertise in the care industry and offering guidance on careers in the field.

The friends, who affectionately call themselves the ‘New Yorkers’, finally took a trip to the Big Apple for their 50th birthdays. As they now approach 60, the group met at Aberdeen City Campus to visit some of their old haunts, like the fifth floor childcare department.

Brian Dunn, Head of Sector for Care, Education and Social Sciences, NESCol, said:

“It was amazing to welcome former students back to their alma mater four decades on and demonstrates how nurturing College can be in fostering both friendships and successful careers. Diane’s outstanding commitment to NESCol is admirable, and the group have maintained ties with the College throughout the years via her.

“We’re grateful for their efforts to support the next generation with their training in childcare, social services and social care.”