With the Platinum Jubilee taking place during the half term holidays, Noremarsh Junior School in Royal Wootton Bassett waited until term-time to celebrate.
Local dignitaries and parents were treated to an extravaganza of colour and pageantry as excited pupils dressed in red, white and blue, and wearing decorated crowns celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee in style with fun activities throughout the day.
The royal afternoon started with children sharing a mass picnic in the sunshine before parents and pupils from the local infant school and Royal Wootton Bassett Academy arrived to watch the school’s tribute to the Queen’s reign with contributions from all year groups.
Children made commonwealth flags, shared their knowledge of the royal family’s history, exhibited painted portraits and sang songs including the Horrible Histories Monarch song and a special school Jubilee song to celebrate the Queen’s reign.
The children were also challenged to decorate crowns.
Head teacher Hilary MacMeekin explained: “They were all asked to bring in things from home that reflected their interests and who they are, so we had ones with Lego on, their favourite food, some chose wildlife and bees as they were really interested in the environment and ecology, so the crowns reflected the individual.”
A highlight of the afternoon was the Town Criers competition led by Royal Wootton Bassett Town Crier Owen Collier. Pupils competed by ringing a bell and reading aloud from a scroll to announce the afternoon’s event.
Winners Peter Corlett, Year 4, and Alex Davies, Year 3, were congratulated by the Local Mayor Pat Farrow and Deputy Mayor Eve Silvester, who were invited along to join in with the festivities.
The day finished on the school field with children of all ages joining in with games of football and competing in a tug of war.
The head teacher was delighted by the success of the afternoon, and said: “It’s been absolutely lovely. Having had my first year as Head where people haven’t been able to come in because covid numbers have still been so high, it’s lovely seeing all the families relaxing and enjoying being together.
"Community is one of our values and it felt like completely living and breathing that, that you had children from the infants and RWBA all joining in with the Tug of War. You had RWBA pupils and children who were leading football activities spontaneously and including everyone in it and it just felt like a really nice family atmosphere and a proper celebration of who we are and where we are at the moment and something we are absolutely going to repeat again next year – Jubilee or not!”
Noremarsh Junior School is part of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust, and its website is www.noremarsh.wilts.sch.uk
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