All 680 pupils enjoyed a day of celebration yesterday to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The school was opened in 1951 and during the years that followed, pupils were taught maypole dancing. The maypole was actually an integral part of the school’s coronation celebrations in 1953.

This year, the original maypole has been brought to life and all children have taken part in workshops to practise this skill. Each child has loved learning how to maypole dance and enthusiastically displayed their achievements to our prestigious guests – Stephen McPartland, MP and the Mayor and Mayoress (newly appointed this week), Mrs Margaret Notley and Cathy Bibby – during our day of celebration on Friday 27^th May. The sun was shining and the children (dressed in red, white and blue) were smiling as they danced and sang a special song created for the occasion. The day also consisted of a whole school picnic lunch and a variety of craft activities; some of the products which were created have been used to decorate the High Street in the Old Town. As they were being attached to the railings this morning, many passers-by commented on them and said to thank the children for putting a smile on their faces!

The celebration day was a resounding success and enabled us all to come together as a school. This has sadly been missing throughout the pandemic and we were all overjoyed to be able to share the day together and provide an experience which the children will remember forever.