Community catering

HUTCHISON CATERING are a local catering company based in County Durham and were awarded the Biddick Academy catering contract, beginning September 2014. We have always looked for the right business match for the Academy and they demonstrated a concise vision with innovative service ideas, an obvious passion for fresh food and a customer focused approach which ultimately was the stand out reason why we chose to move to Hutchison Catering.

Since inception we noticed instantly their approach in presentation and attention to detail throughout the service. They have worked closely with the Academy and created offers and marketing to suit our customers, not only our students but the teachers, support staff and visitors. Sales have risen by 20% and theme days have become a regular feature. A biometric cashless system has cemented the commitment they have shown to Biddick Academy.

Hutchison Catering have demonstrated their experience, flexibility & enthusiasm and we look forward to continuing with this partnership. ON TUESDAY 22ND NOVEMBER former pupil Matt Wylie visited Biddick. There was nothing unusual in this except that Matt was now a Paralympic S9 50m freestyle Gold Medallist, having swam to glory as part of Team GB in Rio earlier that summer. This was truly a proud moment in Biddick Academy’s history.

Matt, a student at Biddick Academy from 2007 to 2012, spoke to and answered questions from over 200 students in the Watson Hall and explained how during his youth he had never allowed Cerebral Palsy to stand in his way as he attempted to fulfil his ambitions as a swimmer. He had used it in a positive way to help him progress in his chosen sport, finding his motivation in fighting back against the problems he faced. He stressed how important his family, his coach (Danny Thompson) and teachers had been in supporting him in his early years. He talked of the early morning starts training before school (as early as 4am) and praised his mother for taking him to these sessions when he was ‘learning his trade’. He remembered the dedicated way his parents had driven him all round the country competing in different events. His whole life had revolved around swimming and he would never have been on the Gold Medal Rostrum without the relentless support of his family.

He did emphasise the importance of his school life and that he had striven to be the best he could be in his studies. This, he stated had helped to keep him level headed and his feet firmly on the ground. Teachers remembered Matt as being a model student; naturally hard working and motivated, he always caught up with any work missed due to competition and ended up with good academic qualifications.

Qualities that helped ensure he walked back through our doors with that gold medal.