Ladock 150 years

The rain was barely noticed on the last day of June as Ladock Church of England School celebrated 150 years of school life. Set up in 1867 by Canon Wise, who was moved by a passion to give the local children an education, the school opened with just 12 children. Today there are 97 and last week, together with ex-pupils, the staff, both past and present, they all marked the achievement with a day of celebration that included dressing up as Victorians, a procession from the school to the church and a wonderful church service led by Bishop Chris.

Head teacher, Lisa Michell, said, ““Despite the weather we had a truly wonderful afternoon. The pupils, old and new, thoroughly enjoyed sharing their experiences of school life at Ladock. It was a great community event and we are very grateful to the PTFA, staff and financial support we received.”

The day began with the procession to church led by the Truro town-crier as the church-bells rang. The service, which was standing room only, was full of snippets the children had learnt from investigating their Victorian heritage, including a dramatic adaptation of Nicolas Nickleby with the Ladock Players and the children. Organist Luke Stevenson helped everyone to sing out to Lord of All Hopefulness, just as the school would have done 50 years ago.

Bishop Chris at LadockOver the last few weeks the children’s work has centred around the celebrations, helped by grants the PTFA (Parent, Teachers and Friends Association) had managed to secure from Feast, Low Carbon Ladock, Lottery and the Parish Council to support the children’s learning. A stand out piece of work was a wall-frieze created by the children as a representation of reminisces of their own first days at school. They also wrote poetry based on Charles Causley’s, What Happened? The basis for the projects were the names from the 1961 census, the graveyard and interviews with ex pupils from Ladock School at a tea party earlier in the year. They also found many photos and researched the archives from the 100 and 130 year celebrations.

As well as the multitude of delicious cakes, Victoria Sandwich of course, baked and donated by the children and enjoyed by everyone, Miss April Jane baked two fantastic cakes, decorated beautifully by Mrs Chris Rimmer. These were ceremoniously cut by the school’s chair of School Council Harry Lutey and his five-year old ‘buddy,’ Ruan Michell.

All the children were presented with a commemorative cross donated by Ladock PCC,  a mug showing the children standing in a 150 formation which was donated by the PTFA and a story book based on the school’s Christian values which had been especially written by a grandparent of pupils at the school.

Unfortunately, the poor weather meant it wasn’t possible to have the Victorian fairground rides and archery which had been planned for outside, but there was a traditional Punch and Judy show in the church. A grand day of celebrations indeed.