Page 13 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • August 2005 13
Head moves on after 18 years

David Messenger, Windmill Hill Primary School's first and only headteacher so far, said a fond farewell at the end of term to the school he
established in 1987, wishing them luck in their desire to remain as they are.
The school is embroiled in a bat- with 43 children head Mark Hazzard. It was an
tle with Swindon Council to stay that year," said amazing day in 1995 when two
as a one form entry school on its Mr Messenger. coachloads of children and par-
present site in Freshbrook. Wind- "Numbers grew ents went up to the National Gal-
y
mill Hill parents have bluntl re- very quickly lery in London to see Windmill
sisted council suggestions that it and those early work on display. More recently
be incorporated with the adjacent months and our art work with the Courtauld
Freshbrook School in new build- years were very Institute has been remarkable. The
ings on the Freshbrook site, as part challenging benefits are far more than art ap-
of the process of reducing surplus with new chil- preciation; the children grow in
places. dren and teach- confidence as a result of the chal-
Looking back at the history of ers arriving all lenges put before them.
Windmill Hill, Mr Messenger re- the time. I must "It's gratifying that visitors to
called that Wiltshire County Coun- admit, coming this school comment on the pleas-
cil, in charge of education during from a quiet ant, warm atmosphere; the chil-
the 1980s, originally proposed the Wiltshire coun- dren feel it and it's an important
school be built on farm fields at the try school, West feature which parents have become
end of King Henry Drive in Grange Swindon lived To be remernbered forgiving hundreds of children a good start in fiercely protective about.
Park. Resistance from residents' up to its title 'the life. David Messenger with from left, Megan Murphy, Danielle "I recognise that Swindon Coun-
forced the county to lease the plot wild West. Marsh, Hannah Richmond, Shanice Labrosse, Josh Lane cil has difficult decisions to make
of land at Uxbridge Road from "It was a time about falling school roles, but it
Thamesdown Council, just 100 of great changes as people moved the tone for all that has followed." makes no sense to shut down a suc-
metres from Freshbrook School in and out, groups were being es- He said the opening of the school cessful school that has served so
which was rapidly becoming the tablished and the community was by poet Pam Ayres in May 1988 many children and families so well."
largest primary in the country, building its identity." was memorable and he was After 38 years in education,
eventually reaching 850 children "For me the appointments of pleased by the success of netball David is looking forward to catch-
on roll. Lynn Harper as deputy (now head. and football teams. The school is ing upon years of DIY jobs around
Perhaps, if it had been built of Beechrcroft Infants) and Gill consistently rated highly by Ofsted his house and spending time with
where originally planned, Tregoze Wilson (now Peachy) who is still and also in national attainment his grandchildren, followed by a
School may not have had to be built school manager, were so impor- tests. long caravan tour round Europe.
and the present problems avoided tant. We spent the summer holi- But David is particularly pleased • Mr Hazzard will be acting
"I started in January 1987 with day unpacking boxes and getting by the nationally recognised qual- headteacher until a permanent
an office in one of Freshbrook's ready for the children. Their work, ity of art work at Windmill Hill appointment is made from Janu-
mobiles. We opened in September with the first group of teachers, set under the leadership of deputy ary.

Peatmoor Community
Facilities

at Peutmoor Community Primary School

A great opportunity
awaits you
We are looking for a Play Manager (NVQ3 Level)
and Play Leaders for our new Saturday club
aimed at children aged 4 - 11 years from
September 2005. Excellent rates of pay.
Saturday 8.30am - 4.30pm
For further details and an application form,
call Caroline Bowles on (01793) 881613 or
mail: caroline_bowles2002C?yahoo.co.uk
Astroturf available to hire in September

8.30pm - 9.30pm on Monday, Tuesday & Friday.
Also 7.30pm - 8.30pm on Monday.
Adults £26.00 per hour (Cost of booking 6+ and
payment in advance: £22 per hour).
Children £14.00 per hour. We also have weekend
availability at £30 for 2 hours.
College ww .n colle e.ac. k
I For details contact Caroline Bowles, as above