Lancashire School
Marks Its 175th Anniversary
2019 has been quite a year for the staff, pupils and friends of Rossall School in Fleetwood. From time capsules and art competitions to a marquee-based musical extravaganza, there is so much going on as the school celebrates its 175th anniversary in true style, writes Kate Ford
Since its foundation in 1844, Rossall has become one of the country’s leading independent schools, where boys and girls from two to 18 enjoy unrivalled facilities in a friendly, supportive environment. Every single member of the school is taking part in the events held to commemorate the 175th anniversary.
All pupils were invited to enter an art competition, with the theme of ‘Rossall at 175’. With no restrictions on size or materials used, pupils from two to 18 years of age entered an array of drawings, paintings, photography and sculptures.
Pupils, parents, staff and guests of the school were asked to vote on their favourites in each age group, and Year 7 pupil, Miki Safronov-Yamamoto, gained the most overall votes with her painting of Rossall School by a very rough Hokusai-style sea.
Copies of the winning pieces from each age group will be placed in a time capsule which the school is putting together to be buried somewhere in the grounds in September 2019. Other items to be placed in the capsule include school photos, hats, exercise books and a Rossall flag.
In ‘The 175 Challenge’, each school house chose their own sponsored activity to undertake together, many of which took pupils out into the local area enabling them to share the celebrations with the surrounding community. Whilst members of the senior school walked or ran along the promenade, the junior, infant and nursery schools followed a shorter route around the school campus.
Other house challenges include a music marathon, a putt-a-thon in the Rossall Golf Academy and a 17.5km walk in Gisburn Forest. All sponsorship money raised will go towards the funding of the school’s new sports hall, a fabulous two-storey facility which be opening in the summer.
Later in the month, on Friday 24th May, the Rossall Proms are taking place in a marquee on the school grounds. This once-only musical spectacular will feature the school’s orchestra, the Chapel Choir and senior soloists. Parents, pupils and friends of the school will bring along picnics to tuck into whilst enjoying the music.
“We always have a marquee for our summer prize day on the last Saturday in May and we always have a musical event the night before,” explains marketing manager, Nancy Fielden. “This year, we’re making it extra-special because of our anniversary and we’re expecting bumper crowds and a real Proms atmosphere.”
A week later, on Friday 31st May, the school will host its 175th Anniversary Ball, a black-tie event which will feature live entertainment from West End star, Mazz Murray, before she takes up the lead role of Donna in Mamma Mia.
Rossall School
Broadway, Fleetwood FY7 8JW
01253 774201
www.rossall.org.uk
