At the Racecourse - Friday 29 September
Ceremony one - 11.00am
- Registration and gown collection in the Ayrshire Suite – 10am
- Registration closes - 10.40am
- Gowned and seated by 10.50am
- Refreshments and photographs - 12.15pm (approx)
If you have booked a seat on the bus:
- Bus departs from Kilmarnock and Kilwinning Campus – 9.20am
- Bus returns to Kilmarnock and Kilwinning Campus – 1.30pm
Ceremony two - 2.30pm
- Registration and gown collection in the Ayrshire Suite – 1.30pm
- Registration closes – 2.10pm
- Gowned and seated by 2.20pm
- Refreshments and photographs – 3.45pm (approx)
If you have booked a seat on the bus:
- Bus departs from Kilmarnock and Kilwinning Campus – 12.50pm
- Bus returns to Kilmarnock and Kilwinning Campus – 5.00pm
Registration
All graduands must register in the Ayrshire Suite on arrival at the Racecourse. Please do not enter via the front door, you should make your way to the entrance at the right side of the Racecourse, which will bring you to the lower level.
Parking and buses
There is plenty of parking at the Racecourse for those who bring their own vehicles. If the car park at the front is full there are additional spaces between the Racecourse and Tesco.
We are providing buses for those who have issues with transportation, see times above. The buses will depart on time, so please do not be late. Only those who have pre-booked will be allocated seats on the bus.
Gowns
You should collect your gown directly after you have registered. You may require two safety pins to secure your gown.
You are responsible for ensuring that your gown and hood are returned to Ede an Ravenscroft after the ceremony. There will be a drop off area upstairs in the Princess Royal Suite.
Photography
The first people to arrive may have time to have their official photograph taken before the ceremony in the Ayrshire Suite. Ede and Ravenscroft will close this studio early to allow people to be seated for the ceremony. Those who do not have time to be photographed before the ceremony will have theirs taken afterwards, upstairs in the Princess Royal Suite.
Tickets
Guests should present printed or electronic tickets to a member of staff on arrival.
Personal belongings
Please do not bring personal belongings to your seat. We suggest leaving them with your guests, as you may not return to the same seat after receiving your award. Unfortunately there is no cloakroom.
The ceremony
After you have collected your gown you should make your way to the seat number allocated to you. Staff will be there to direct you.
Graduands and guests will not be seated together.
Graduands are seated in the same order as the programme. It is therefore very important that you do not change seats as this could result in disruption of the ceremony and graduates receiving the wrong certificate.
During the ceremony staff will ask you to leave your seat and form a queue. When your name is announced, walk onto the stage, shake hands with the person presenting your certificate and stop to have a photograph taken. You should then leave by the stairs on the opposite side of the stage.
You'll be able to purchase your presentation photograph from Ede and Ravenscroft after the event.
Anyone requiring support to access the stage should have made this clear at the time of booking and made appropriate arrangements with the Events Team.
After you receive your award
College staff will direct you to a seat, where you should stay until the ceremony has finished. As mentioned, the seat you are allocated after the presentation of your award may not be the same one you had initially, so please do not leave any personal belongings.
Making a Difference in the Community, Outstanding Achievement and Student of the Year award winners will be allocated a second seat to allow them easily access the stage to receive their additional award. Details will be given to the recipients at registration.
Certificates
In the unlikely event that you receive an incorrect certificate, please accept the certificate presented to you and leave the stage as detailed above. At the end of the ceremony please notify a member of college staff.
After the ceremony / Refreshments
When the ceremony finishes the piper will start piping and everyone will be directed upstairs to the Princess Royal Suite, where graduates can reunite with guests and have photographs taken. Cakes and juice will be provided but the bar will be closed and no alcohol will be served. Please note there will be no refreshments available before the ceremony.