Westbury on Trym CE Primary celebrates 40 years

Westbury on Trym CE Primary School pupils and staff celebrated 40 years today.

The school itself dates back to 1863, but moved into the current building on Channels Hill on October 16, 1969.

The pupils didn't have to wear their uniform but were asked to wear red as a symbol of the ruby anniversary of the school being in the current building.

The whole school sang Happy Birthday, after learning a bit about the schools history, including an extract read from the first school log book, by the Head Teacher, Pam Derham.

Pam Derham said: "The log book was started on March 2, 1863. In 2013 the school will be 150 years old."

The first entry was written by the first head teacher of the school. The final entry was written thirty years later and tells of how the school day started at 2pm so the head teacher and masters could pay their respects at the original head teacher's funeral.

Today's head teacher said: "The log books are fascinating. It puts history into perspective. They are delicate and beautifully written."

The school children also created their own reminder of today. A large tapestry, made with mixed media including paint, fabric, buttons and thread, which depicts what is important to the children about their school today. It will hang in the school, so future generations can see the images which represent life at the school in 2009.

Two pupils, Robbyn Wiszmiewska, 11 today and Ella Davison, six today, also shared their birthday with the school and blew out the candles on the cake, which was to be cut up into 400 pieces, by Mrs Thomas, the Science and Early Years Co-ordinator.

An Acer tree is also being planted to commemorate the 40th anniversary.

Head teacher, Pam Derham said: "We are also marking today by planting the tree in the school grounds. It will be a growing and lasting reminder of today's 40th birthday celebration."

A pupil, Tony Hargitay, who attended the first day of the school 40 years ago today, now has two children of his own who are pupils at the school. The pupils, Mathew and Anna read out their father's memories of that first day to the rest of the school.

Tony wrote of how the school moved to the new premises, on Channels Hill, after the summer break and remembers the "old school desks and lift up lids" in the previous school, and how the pupils were all "very happy" to have "new chairs and tables, and a hall with ropes and bars".

"We had a great time and I have many happy memories of Westbury on Trym CE School."

View photos of the celebrations here. More 40th anniversary photos.