Golden anniversary for catholic primary school at the heart of Hebburn community
Pupils get a taste of life in the 1970s!
A HEBBURN Primary School celebrated its 50th anniversary with a 1970s themed fancy dress day, which also raised funds for Children in Need.
St James RC Primary School in Hebburn opened in 1972, with many of the pupils from back in the day now having their own children and grandchildren attending the school.
To celebrate 50 successful years at the heart of the local community, St James School, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, hosted an art exhibition on life through the decades from the 1970s onwards.
To coincide with the celebration, pupils learned about modern social history and big news events since 1972 as well as exploring the music, fashion and art and interiors that were popular throughout the different decades.
Philippa Lamb, the school’s history co-ordinator, led on the project, alongside administration assistant Lisa Gillis.
Former pupils sent in photographs from their time at the school and Lisa said “We got some amazing pictures in from the community!
“We put a note on Facebook asking for people’s memories of the school and we had a good response.
“All the classes have been reflecting on the past 50 years and how things have changed and we put on an art exhibition, with pupils creating artwork reflecting what they have learned about the different decades.”
Parents were invited to come into school and see the artwork and enjoy some refreshments, while retired staff also returned to meet the school’s present pupils and talk to them about what it was like at the school in their day.
Lots of seventies memorabilia was brought into school; and as well as getting the chance to dress up in 1970s clothes, pupils were treated to fun games such as identifying staff members from some of their old photographs.
“The children have been so excited about our 50th anniversary celebrations, including the art exhibition and getting dressed up in seventies clothes and having some fun!” said Philippa.
“They have been getting to know what it was like to be a child in the 1970s and 1980s and some of the significant events that occurred.
“We have had some really great staff coming in to speak to the children and received lots of pictures from people who were pupils at St James all those years ago and it has been really interesting and fun for us all to take a trip down memory lane!
“Some of our pupils from that time are now parents and grandparents themselves, so it has been really good to get our whole school community and families involved.”
Moya Rooney, a former pupil at the school who is now headteacher of St Bede’s in Jarrow – also part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust – was amongst the visitors to St James during its golden anniversary celebrations.
Francesca Heslop, the headteacher at St James, is the longest serving teacher there, while Isabel Franklin, administration officer, is the longest serving member of staff “who greets everyone at the school with a huge smile, compassion, warmth and kindness”.
Isabel is retiring after 31 years at the school at Christmas.
Francesca said: “We are immensely proud to be celebrating our 50th anniversary; it is an incredible legacy of achievement.
“As we look back at our past 50 years with so much joy, we also turn our eyes to the next 50 years.
“We imagine how bright that future is and the endless possibilities for our wonderful school community.”
Voluntary donations from parents sending their children to school in fancy dress were donated to Children in Need.