School turns 60 with style (7th June 2006)

FROM the deafening sounds of cheering and the sea of foreign faces, one might be tempted to think that they had somehow found a portal to the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany, albeit a miniature one with a loud thumping Seventies beat in the background.

Parents and students of more than 50 nationalities came together to celebrate the Alice Smith School's 60th anniversary at the secondary school premises on Sunday.

Giggles could be heard everywhere as the younger students bounced about in inflatable castles, raced in gunnysacks and splashed water at one another.

A live band added to the merriment, while the aroma of sizzling sausages was reminiscent of picnic-perfect afternoons.

The Diamond Jubilee Fair 2006 was a carnival that allowed parents, teachers and students to foster closer ties.

They had fun at the many game booths on the school's wide expanse of green lawn, where more than 1,000 people gathered.

Eighty students aged between 16 and 18 also put up their examination pieces at the design and technology exhibition.

Among the works were chairs, boxes and tools in interesting designs and creative usages.

The fair is part of the school's annual summer fair organised by Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) with the help of class representatives. They are also in charge of the annual Christmas bazaar.

"These two are among the few events that we do to raise funds for school activities.

"This time around we hope to buy a projector for the students," said the school's PTA chairman Richard Overton.

Principal (Equine Park) Nik Bishop pointed out that most of the other events were given a charitable purpose and the proceeds went to various homes and organisations.

The primary school, meanwhile, marked the Diamond Jubilee with Open Days on Monday and Tuesday.

The pupils took part in various activities that highlighted how Alice Smith School and the world had changed since 1946.

There were quizzes about the school's history and games that included pupils dressing up a teacher in outfits from the 1970s.

Among the outdoor activities were street parties and a 1940s Sports Day, where the younger children had fun playing hula-hoops and a retro version of a relay race.

Pupils also contributed items from the past and present for a time capsule that would be dug up during the school's 70th anniversary.

Parents were invited to visit the school later in the afternoon where they had the chance to watch their children at work in their classrooms.