Withington School 150th Birthday Celebrations.

The sun shone brightly on the evening of 16th June. About 100 past and present pupils, friends and Governors gathered for a tea party. All the present pupils, staff, many Governors and some friends were dressed in Victorian costume. The  children danced around the may pole – as in the photo we have from the early days of the school. Sheila Platt accompanied the children on the keyboard and led some community singing. Queen Victoria (Barbara Mustoe) with her lady in waiting and her husband Prince Albert (6 year Old Daniel Phillips from The Mill) cut the birthday cake which had been made by Jane Bruce, and decorated by  Shelagh Mack.   Then it was time for tea, reminisces with old friends, chats to new and a chance to admire the proposed new extension to the school which will provide a sizable art / craft area and more space for indoor physical activities.

All in all an evening to remember.

The sun shone again for the Withington Village fete which this year took a Victorian theme. The afternoon was started with a parade (all in costume of course) through the village by the children, staff, and several friends of the school.  Jessica Stubbs dressed as a Victorian school girl on her pony  Seb  led the parade.  On reaching the field Queen Victoria opened the fete and a good time was had by all. The children danced around the may pole again, and the school staff organised some Victorian sports like bowling the hoop, deportment (balancing a bean bag on the head) and skipping.

Our celebrations finished with a magnificent performance of  ‘The Victorian Historian’ which tells the story of four children and their teacher going back in time and meeting Isambard Kingdom Brunel, several street urchins, some peelers and, of course, Queen Victoria!  All the children have parts in this musical play and several are singing solo parts.

A great accomplishment for a small school!