THE completion of refurbishment work at a dale primary school was celebrated when staff and pupils unveiled a new sign last week
The revamp at Green Lane school, in Barnard Castle, was carried out by Durham County Council. It included the installation of new double glazed windows and panelling. The Friends of Green Lane School then used money they had raised to have a new sign erected.
Headteacher Rob Goffee, who took over in April, said: “The school still had the original metal windows and frames from when it was opened in 1959. I decided to organise a writing competition for students to decide who would do the unveiling.”
Children were invited to let their imaginations run wild writing about dragons with help from families and friends was encouraged.
The stories were judged by Mr Goffee’s former colleague, Mrs S Smith, deputy head teacher at Sedgefield Primary School, and the three winners were Joseph Waldock, Ollie Linsley and Izzy Aspey.
They unveiled the new sign on Friday, November 9, during a ceremony at the school attended by family, friends, staff and pupils. Mr Goffee added: “We are already feeling the benefits of the new windows and it is so much brighter and lighter in the classrooms. It’s a much better working environment.”
The refurbishment work has been completed in time for the school site’s 60th anniversary, which will be marked in April. Green Lane is planning a diamond jubilee garden party. The site was previously Balliol Secondary Modern School, which was opened on April 30, 1959. It later became Green Lane School.
When he arrived at the school Mr Goffee discovered an original booklet from the 1959 opening day and wants to celebrate the anniversary in style by inviting as former members of staff to come along. He said: “The school has undergone so many changes over the past five or ten years and I think it would be lovely to celebrate its history. We are hoping to get the message out to any and all former members of staff to get in touch for an invitation.”
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