NEW ACADEMY IS 'AWESOME" SAY STUDENTS

A special ‘topping out’ ceremony took place on the roof of Oasis Academy Coulsdon on Tuesday 3 May to mark the structural completion of the new building.  Students from the Academy poured wine, oil, corn and salt onto the roof as part of the ancient tradition. 

Mark Tant, Managing Director of Willmott Dixon, presented David Millar, Principal of Oasis Academy Coulsdon with a commemorative trowel and Rev Paul Roberts, from St John’s Church, Old Coulsdon, blessed the building and prayed for the continued success of the Academy and the opportunities it will provide for students and the local community.  David Millar thanked the Willmott Dixon, their workforce and Croydon Council for all their hard work and collaboration which has resulted in creating a world-class learning centre for students and the community.  

The ‘topping out’ ceremony originated thousands of years ago from roof gardens in Persia and is traditionally held when the highest point of the building is reached. It provides an opportunity for everyone connected with the building: client, consultants and workforce; to toast the success of the building and ensure its prosperity and good luck.  In Saxon times, a yew tree branch was placed on the uppermost part of the building as a symbol of completion and to provide shade.  Wine, oil, corn and salt were sprinkled on the roof once the tree was planted.  The wine symbolised wisdom, the oil - liberty and prosperity, the corn – ripen prosperity into abundance, and the salt – purity and hospitality.

Parents, members of Croydon Council and the local community joined staff and students at the special ceremony on the roof.  For many, it was their first opportunity to have a look inside the new building.  The students especially were very excited as they walked through the huge open ‘Agora’ which will form the heart of the Academy.  And what did they think of their new Academy?

 “Awesome”!