Celebrations start to mark school’s 70th anniversary
UFFCULME School invited former head boys and girls back to start the celebrations of its 70th anniversary.
More than 40 attended the reunion and were able to share memories and anecdotes of their time at the school.
Mavis Durrant, 82, was the head girl in 1956/57. She joined the school when it opened and stayed for three years. She was one of the oldest head girls at the event.
She said the school was unrecognisable from what it was when it opened.
“It’s so huge now. We thought it was huge when we moved from Cullompton School to here, but I would get lost now, and I’ve no idea how I would find my way around,” she added.
“Being one of the first students to attend was exciting. I remember we all had our photographs taken outside, which must still exist somewhere, showing pupils on the first day.
“To come back today is wonderful. I have a grandson here at the school, and all my family came here from Kentisbeare, and all did very well. It’s a wonderful school.”
She said the school had provided many new opportunities for its new cohort when it opened.
“They had space for housewifery, domestic science, needlework, an arts studio which I believe is still an art room, and we made lots of friends from all the community that fed in for Uffculme School who remained lifelong friends,” Mavis said.
“I have many fond memories. It was quite an eye-opener for somebody who lived in a country where we had very few opportunities to do things. We had plenty of choice here.”
Alan Redwood, 78, was head boy in 1960/61. He said: “The selection process was down to the teachers. They selected the people in that position at the time.
“I used to enjoy school, so that was the first thing. One thing that stands out in those years, is that we did HMS Pinafore, and that was quite an occasion. It would have been one of the first school productions.
“Another memory is being one of the first people to go on one of the first foreign holidays. We got here at 11am on a Thursday, and we arrived in Geneva at 6pm the next day, so that’s a bit of history.
“It has changed dramatically since then. I’ve had two children attend here as well, and we’re fortunate to have this school and be in this catchment area.”
The celebrations also saw generations of the same family attend, with Ian Bell, the head boy in 1971/72, his son Philip in 1996/97 and his grandson, who is the current deputy head boy.
Ian said: “It’s strange coming back after so many years as everything has changed. It’s still a popular place. When I was a head boy, I’d never imagined that my son and grandson would follow in my footsteps, and I’m very proud of them.
“I wasn’t an ideal pupil, so they tell me. The story is that they made me head boy so they could keep an eye on me, but I have no idea why.”
Philip added: “My dad’s footsteps were not big footsteps to fill.
“It was fun coming to Uffculme School, although you didn’t see it then. We are all very proud to see Marco become deputy head boy.
“It goes to show how good the school is that, at some 50 years old, we’re still coming.”
Marco joked that he was a bit of a let down not to become head boy like his father and grandfather.
“It’s great to see all the old head boys and girls and hear all the stories. I didn’t realise they used to have a swimming pool here, for example; it’s a shame it’s not here now,” he said.
His advice to anyone hoping to become a future head boy or girl was: “Be yourself, be confident, and be a lively person.
“I think becoming a head boy or girl is now a lot harder than it was for them. I had to write a letter to the headteacher and then do a speech to all the students, and then I got voted by them and teachers to be deputy.”
Headteacher Laura Jenkins said: “It’s been an amazing night seeing them all and hearing their stories about the school and also how the school has physically changed.
“I’ve been hearing about the swimming pool and how all the different rooms have changed, and seeing three generations of one family here – it’s just been so beautiful.
“We can’t give too much away about our upcoming celebrations as we have all sorts in production. We will continue to do our research and gather a lot of information.
“As part of the anniversary celebrations, we’ll be screening a film that we’re making about the school’s history. There will be an exhibit for people to visit, as well as all sorts of small events, including a book.
“We want as many people as possible to give us as much information, photographs and history as possible so we can document it forever.”