Page 16 - link magazine

16 swindonlink.com • October 2008
Toot returns to review new school

Toot was a knitted mascot sold to raise money in the fi ve years after the fi rst Toothill Primary School opened in September 1978. To mark the
start in a brand new replacement school, Toot emerged briefl y from The Link’s archives of West Swindon to say hello.
Teaching assistant and founda- nising the move with many of his proud; it’s a lovely building for both lower fuel bills from the solar panels
tion governor Nicola Hoare remem- staff. “All the hard work planning educating children and for catering which supply hot water.”
bered Toot being introduced to the for the school, discussing design for local needs in our community The old school will be demolished
fi rst children to start at the school ideas with council architects and rooms. It’s the start of a new era.” during half term.
in 1978. Nursery assistant Melanie working out the practicalities of Mr Cowell was pictured in the Free places at nursery
Lynch (née Gunter) also recalls the both running a school and prepar- July Link admiring the sedum roof Toothill Primary School’s nursery
mascot from when she started at the ing to transfer buildings has been which covers most of the school. is open fi ve sessions a week for
school as a fi ve year old in 1980. She worth it. ”The sedum is fl ourishing and re- children over three years of age on
was able to explain who Toot was to “It’s fantastic to move in at last. ally gives the building character. 31 August. For details about free
her fi ve year old Bradley who now The council has done Toothill And we’re looking forward to much places, call 497250.
attends Toothill School. Martyn Cowell with Toothill children, Chassidy Read, Jay Baines,
Headteacher Martyn Cowell said First of three Georgia Ockwell and Tommy Fulton meeting Toot
he was delighted to see the new Toothill is the fi rst of three brand
school open at last, after spending new schools to be built in the West
most of the summer holidays orga- Swindon primary schools’ reor-
ganisation orchestrated by Swindon
Council. This has seen Salt Way
primary close and Freshbrook and
Windmill Hill primaries combined
as Millbrook.
Brand new schools at Shaw
The Blackthorn School Ridge and Millbrook, on the former
of Photography Freshbrook site, should open in
Digital image-making September 2009.
and black and white printing The Willows building at Freshbrook
based at our specialist coming down in August
teaching centre near Cricklade
Evening, day and weekend Party day marks 25 years
courses for beginners and
advanced photographers Westlea Primary School held a birthday party on 12 September to mark
www.photography-courses.com its quarter of a century, and to show the permanence of the school - briefl y
Tel: 01454 416937 considered for closure in 2003 as part of the West Swindon schools’
or 07920 116492 reorganisation - a cake in the shape of the school building was cut at
a party for staff and former teachers the following day.
Children took part in a day of fun so many people. The fact that there
activities such as art, puppet mak- have only been three headteachers
ing, sports and traditional party in twenty fi ve years indicates the
games, and ended with an assembly stability and continuity there has
which included the fi nals of an been. Without a village centre the
inter-class musical chairs competi- school has been very much the cen-
tion. Headteacher Suzanne Seaton tre of the Westlea community.”
entertained children by reading She added that the jubilee year
Fr from the school log of the fi rst day will be marked in 2009 with the
Freshbrook Village Centre, Swindon eshbrook Village Centre, Swindon
on 12 September 1983.
planting of a silver birch when the
Afterwards parents joined chil- last mobile buildings are removed
20% off dren for a picnic which had to be and replaced by new classrooms.
Cut and Blow Dry Mrs Seaton said, “we’ve had a children and peaked with 430 pupils
Westlea Primary opened with 100
held on the hall fl oor.
for students
with this advert lovely day with lots of activities. in the early 1990s. Numbers have
Westlea is a very special place for now settled down to 310.
only in October. Suzanne Seaton, centre, with fi nalists from the musical chairs competition, senior teach-
Only with valid ing assistant Rebecca Clifforde who organised the celebrations, right, and cake making
NUS card. reception teacher Vicki John, who attended Westlea between 1986 and 1992

Call to make an appointment: 01793 873217

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