Children experience Victorian schooling at anniversary event

Pupils at Ruthvenfield Primary School stepped back in time to find out how they would have been taught 150 years ago.

Children in primaries five, six and seven took part in a day of role-playing in a mock Victorian classroom – and were on their best behaviour for fear of the belt – as part of the school’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

The primary four class was transformed into a museum where children acted as tour guides, showing off photographs and artefacts including a dunce hat and a belt.

Parents and relatives, as well as former pupils and staff dating back 70 years, were invited back to the school on November 22 and the youngest pupils reminded them how to play old-fashioned games such as tiddlywinks, draughts and marbles.

Head teacher Andrew Clark said: “The 150th anniversary celebration day was a great success and it was fantastic to see our brilliant young learners working alongside former pupils from as far back as the 1940s.

“Ruthvenfield Primary School has a special place in many people’s hearts and that came shining through during our project and the research we undertook.

“As the school’s head teacher I felt very proud to be a part of this school’s rich history and to be leading a team of highly dedicated and talented staff and young people.”

Commemorations continued with a time capsule full of items to remind people of life in 2018, which was buried in the playground and will be dug up in 30 years.

Pupils also planted 150 crocus bulbs, which will bloom in the shape of the school’s logo in the spring.

Commemorations came to a close with the unveiling of 30 stone tiles, designed and carved by pupils, each representing the history of the school.

Finally, a cake, made specially by pupil support worker Mrs Turner, was cut at the end of the day.

Everyone who took part in the celebrations will have the chance to buy a memento of the day as handprints were taken of all pupils and their relatives.

These will be printed on tea towels to be sold at the school’s Christmas fiar next week.

The event will be held at the Huntingtower Hotel from 6.30pm on Tuesday December 11.

Pupils buried a time capsule as part of the celebrations.