Past pupils of a Cardiff school are being encouraged to get back in touch as part of a celebration of the school’s history.
St Anne’s Church in Wales Infant School in Roath will close this summer as part of the Council’s school organisation plans which aim to develop a viable and successful education system in the city, including the creation of all through three to 11-years-old primary schools.
A celebratory reception for past pupils, staff and special guests will take place on July 8 at St Peter’s Community Centre to mark the school’s 132 year history and past achievements.
Headteacher, Clare Lewis is appealing for anyone linked with the school’s past to join the celebration.
She said: “If you attended St Anne’s School or the former Crofts Street School and would like to come along, please get in touch. We would like to get as many former pupils as possible to come and help celebrate the life of this much-cherished school.”
The celebratory reception is one of a number of special events planned, including creating a book to celebrate the school’s long journey, in which the current children at the school will have a helping hand. An open afternoon is planned in May for pupils past and present while a thanksgiving service will take place at St Anne’s Church on June 11.
Opened in 1879, the then Crofts Street National School had 225 pupils aged five to 10 and was built by the Reverend Frederick William Puller, Vicar of Roath, on land donated by a local landowner, Charles Henry Williams. The school provided vital education to local children in the newly formed Roath area of the city as the number of homes and the Cardiff Docks expanded rapidly.
By 1894 the school was extended and in 1899 the school pupil age rose to 12-years-old. With the establishment of the 1902 Education Act, the then denominational school was fully integrated into the state system before becoming St Anne’s Church in Wales Voluntary Aided Primary School in 1949 and finally, St Anne’s Church in Wales Infant School in 1954.
The school is also looking for old photographs for forthcoming exhibitions and anyone who is able to help or attend any of the events should contact Clare Lewis at the school on 029 2049 0402 or e-mail [email protected]
Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway, said: “A celebratory reception for people who have played a role in St Anne’s history is a wonderful way to mark the end of an era for the school. It will be a chance for pupils and staff, past and present, to exchange stories and share memories of the place where they spent their formative years.
