A JUNIOR school in Alresford celebrated 40 years of teaching by wearing platform boots and flares and having a balloon launch.

Teachers and children at Sun Hill Junior School turned back the clock and wore flowery costumes to celebrate the school’s ruby anniversary since it opened in 1973.

An exhibition showing some of the school’s biggest achievements was held at the school while the community came out to see the 245 pupils stand in a shape of 40 before they released the red balloons at 2pm.

Addressing the school, head teacher Neil MacKenzie said it was a “very, very special year for us.

“It’s been a huge and busy day for us, [the staff and pupils] look fantastic. One of the things that’s most impressed me about this is that at the end of last year I asked [oldest staff member] Mrs Boyce if she could throw a party and that is what we got. It’s been absolutely fantastic, a big thank you to all the adults who helped make this happen. I think for the community it means a lot,” he said.

Parents at the school donated cup cakes for a ruby anniversary-themed party in the main hall while a mural was also available for people to see.

Carol Humphrey started at the school in one year after it opened and remembered a time when school meals contained chocolate cracknel and pink custard.

“I would have been seven when I came here. The classrooms are still the same but the year six block is now the library and digital suite.

“The school has gone a long way, it is better equipped now. It’s just fantastic. We took down some old boards and behind it was the old flowering wallpaper from when it was first built,” said the 46-year old who now works as a learning support assistant at the Sun Lane school.

On Tuesday she was joined by her school friend Lorraine Dixon who also remembered some of the teachers who worked at the school during the 1970s.
“You couldn’t ask for a better school,” she said.

See the video on the Chronicle website now. All these photos are available to buy from the Chronicle office on 01962 861860