Friday 27th May saw Spalding St Paul’s Community Primary School celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations with their entire school community. This included all the staff, and all the children and their families. Some special quests from the local community also came along to enjoy the festivities.
CLICK HERE to view a short film of the festivities.
The celebrations began at 1:30pm, with the crowning of our Queen for the day, 102 year old Bridget Bloomfield, who attended with two other residents from Braeburn Lodge Nursing and Residential Home in Deeping St James. Year 4 Teacher, Gary Ward (a former Staff Sargent in the Royal Corps of Signals in the British Army) came in full uniform for the day to crown Bridget. It was the first time the pupils had seen him in his uniform!
With our coronation in full swing, each year group then presented to their huge audience on the school field. The sun shone as the pupils performed songs from the decades they have been learning since Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation:
- Nursery – the 2020’s
- Reception and Year 1 – the 2000’s
- Year 2 – the 1990’s
- Year 3 – the 1980’s
- Year 4 – the 1970’s
- Year 5 – the 1960’s
- Year 6 – the 1950’s
All the pupils and staff were dressed in their decade or in red, white and blue.
Springfield’s Outlet Shopping & Leisure then announced the winner of their Jubilee Flag Competition. The lucky recipient, Year 2 pupil, Leon Orpen, was super excited to hear he that he had won. Leon’s Jubilee Flag will be hoisted at Springfield’s for all to see. Well done Leon!
South Holland District Councillor Glynis Scalese, then judged the ‘best dressed’ competition:
“I am always really happy to support Spalding St Pauls. It holds a special place in my heart as my son used to come here and he now runs a successful business. I love to pop in for a visit, everyone is always so friendly. It is a pleasure to be here today to judge the ‘best dressed competition.”
Well done to EYFS pupil Evie-Rae, who won an amazing chocolate hamper donated by Cllr Scalese.
After the pupil performances and special announcements, afternoon tea commenced with all the pupils and their families enjoying a picnic on the school field!
The Year 6 pupils put on a fun stall based around the 1950’s which they have been studying, as the school is currently fundraising for playground improvements.
Assistant Head, Katie James, who was the main organiser of the event, said:
“The children have been so excited and enthusiastic on the run up to the celebrations. This is the first time since the pandemic hit, that we have been able to have our families and members of the community into school, which is lovely.
Today is about Queen Elizabeth II of course, but it also fits in wonderfully with our teaching of British Values because at Spalding St Paul’s we are all about community and celebrating things together.
I’d like to say a special thank you to Jackie Sawyers and Julie Atkinson from Springfield’s, not only for allowing our pupils the chance to enter the flag design competition, but also for giving the school a £500 voucher to spend. Also, a huge thank you to Jess Collett (Year 5 Teacher) who has been the creative organiser for today’s celebrations. I don’t know what we would’ve have done without her!”
Headteacher, Selina Ratchford, added:
“It really has been a special day. I would like to thank Springfield’s for their involvement and to Cllr Scalese for all the donated prizes. And thank you to our wonderful Year 6 pupils for organising all the games. Obviously, a big thank you to all our brilliant staff and in particular Mrs James for organising this perfect celebration for the whole school and extended community.”
All the pupils went home with Jubilee Celebration seeds to plant in their gardens at home.
[Main Picture: Katie James – Assistant Head, Jackie Sawyers – Special Projects Manager at Springfields, Selina Ratchford – Headteacher, Cllr Glynis Scalese, Jess Collett – Teacher, Julie Atkinson – Centre PA at Springfields]
