School celebrates in Fifties style

It is 50 years since the Duchess of Gloucester officially declared open Bexhill's new Church of England School.

The Bishop of Lewis, the Rt Rev Wallace Benn, was at the parish Church on Wednesday for a service of thanksgiving for the work of St Peter and St Paul Primary School.

The service was attended by civic leaders including Rother chairman Cllr Wendy Miers and Town Mayor Cllr Eric Armstrong.

A week which has seen a reunion party at the school has also given today's pupils an insight into what it was like to be at school in 1956.

Fifties-style lessons have been conducted in classes which have reverted to a Fifties-style lay-out with everyone facing the blackboard.

Fifties-style food has been served and in every part of the curriculum lessons have been based on the history of a school which owes its existence to the persistence of local campaigners and to dedicated fund-raising by congregations in the town's Anglican churches.

Headteacher Richard White was wearing a mortar board and academic gown as he stage-managed Tuesday's balloon release.

Female staff sported Fifties-style full skirts, scarves and wide belts. A gowned master was brandishing a cane...

School logbooks from the old St Peter's School and dating back to before the First World War have been on display in the school's small hall together with photographs and memorabilia including toys and books from the Fifties.

Tuesday's lunch was bangers-and-mash followed by sponge pudding.

By the start of the week, more than 150 former staff and pupils had booked places for Wednesday's reunion party.

Tonight's fireworks display marks not only the Guy Fawkes tradition but the culmination of a week of nostalgia and excitement.

For Marie Burgess who has chaired the 50th anniversary committee, the response from the whole school community, past and present, has been the key to success.

For the headteacher it is the springboard to further action for the school.

Already, parents and pupils have been fund-raising under a sponsored walk project which aims to raise 50 per family for the school.

The new head who swiftly brought the school out of Special Measures says: "We have come a long way.

"It is a young and dynamic staff, moving the school forward.

"We have plans for both the building and for outside the school.

"Part of the building is modern and part is now 50 years old. We want to bring it all up to the 21st Century.

"We would like to cover the swimming pool and the PTA have the project in hand

"We want to deck an area so we can have lessons outdoors. We want to create a nature garden.

"We have had 16 trees donated and we want to create a shaded area off the top playground.

"We have started to prepare a school website. The children are involved. I have a gifted and talented ICT group who are working with me on a Friday doing current news."