Happy 100th Birthday!
It was all about having fun for pupils at Westholme School, which recently celebrated its centenary year, writes Meena McDonald
The inspirational and infectious energy of Westholme shone when the school held its Centenary Birthday Party last month.
The momentous celebrations embraced all the values the pioneering Lancashire independent school holds close to its heart – authenticity, enthusiasm, commitment, fun, team-spirit, vibrancy, resilience and a genuine belief that anything is possible.
The 100-year celebrations organised by the teaching staff encompassed the whole four to 18 school and every student was thoroughly involved in a wide range of fun-filled activities.
In the classic Westholme way, they created a day that will remain a delightful memory for every student for the rest of their lives, with the experience no doubt retold many times.
Students returned from their Easter break to the amazing party, packed with balloons, bunting, banners, music and entertainment throughout the whole school environment.
Prep pupils were involved in an outdoor treasure hunt with numerous challenges to complete along the way and finished their exciting day with a Through the Decades party where each Prep year dressed in a different decade from the school’s history. From rock and roll to the swinging sixties, the dining hall was full of truly creative and astounding outfits.
The Senior and INSPIRED Sixth Form students were immersed in various themes around school from The Great Escape, with numerous challenge scenarios, to Westholme Through the Ages with quizzes, dances and collaborative art creating.
Every student was given a voucher which entitled them to a sweet treat, a magic mirror photo booth session and a glitter tattoo. The children had a tremendous amount of fun dressing up and having photos taken with their friends, which were printed immediately for them to enjoy as a keepsake.
Outdoors in the beautiful grounds, there was a diverse range of activities for students to embrace too, such as an inflatable course, slalom, parachute and a tower challenge. All this, along with cake stalls and an ice cream van, ensured the celebrations continued right up until home time when everyone left school with huge smiles.
Westholme isn’t the only one celebrating its centenary – so is Disney!
So, Westholme adopted the Disney theme in their production which was performed by all of the staff on stage in the majestic Croston Theatre. The exuberant atmosphere was electrifying as the students gazed at the amazing animal outfits, singing solos and duets. The cheers and uproar of laughter were audible from the end of Meins Road!
Comments from the students about the day included: “Fabulous, amazing and a day to remember!”
Of course, you can’t have a birthday party without a cake! But the Westholme cake wasn’t just any old cake, it was over a metre in length and enough to serve a slice for every single one of the school’s 800 students. The special 100 number, designed and constructed by the Design Technology department, stood large and proud on the top for everyone to see.
During the Disney birthday cake assembly, everyone sang a very touching Happy Birthday and then the current and incoming Head Boys and Head Girls blew out all 100 candles! It was an incredibly moving and momentous occasion for the whole school.
Dr Richard Robson, Principal of Westholme commented: “The unique spirit of Westholme really was captured in the birthday celebrations and will remain an ever-lasting jubilant memory for every member of staff and student involved. Our commitment to continue to pioneer the future of education, which our students experience daily, really came to the fore on our special day encapsulating our unrivalled holistic excellence at Westholme.”
This really was an occasion for the entire Westholme family and it is hard to imagine another birthday party like it!
If you are eager to find out more about the distinctive educational philosophy on display at Westholme please contact: registrar@westholmeschool.com
Or visit the exciting Seniors/INSPIRED Sixth Form Open Evening on 5th October 2023
Westholme School
Wilmar Lodge, Meins Road
Pleasington BB2 6QU
01254 506070
westholmeschool.com
