KELLY WARINER

TROWBRIDGE’S Mead Community Primary School last week celebrated its 15th birthday with events attended by children, parents, carers and staff.

A whole school celebration on Thursday, September 15, united the Hilperton and Wingfield sites before a family BBQ on Sunday, September 18, was open to all past and present students and staff.

These events provided an opportunity to celebrate the children who have attended over the past 15 years and all staff members who have contributed to its success.

Mel Jacob, who has been a Community Governor for 13 years, said: “The staff are hugely committed, professional and work so hard for the children.

“This is more exciting and wonderful than anything I experienced as a child and providing children with a fabulous experience is what drives us forward.”

The school, graded as Outstanding by Ofsted, has grown since being founded in 2001 by previous head teacher Lyssy Bolton.

Current head teacher Emma Holton started as a teacher at the school when it opened and took on her current role in September 2015.

15 white doves were released at the celebration as a symbol of peace and hope and to represent each year since the school opened.

Local author Stewart Foster, who used to live in Trowbrigde, talked to the children about how he became a writer and ran workshops for Year 5 and 6 children.

An interactive art exhibition titled “101 things to do with a pencil” launched the school’s Art theme for this year and featured ideas such as ‘diving pencils’ used to write underwater.

The work created will form a special exhibition at Trowbridge Town Hall.

Also recognised at the celebration was the contribution of parents and volunteers through the Friends of the Mead, who have helped to develop outdoor spaces by raising over £300,000 during the 15 years.

Miss Jacob added: “We now have a pond, vegetable garden, Adventure Island and all sorts of things, so the Friends have made a huge contribution to the education of the children at the school.”