During her 15 years as head teacher at Newton Road Infant School, Mrs Carol Wibberley assembled six scrapbooks of newsclips and an album of photographs from the activities at the school.
There were outings, concerts, fundraising events, annual events, and lots of fun. One of the regular events was the Harvest Festival, and the pupils would take produce to the visitors at Cordwainers Day Centre at Rushden Hospital. The left over fruit and vegetables were then sold to parents and teachers, making funds to either buy something for the school, or to make a donation to a charitible cause. Here are a few of the events recorded, and copied from the six scrapbooks, kindly loaned by Mrs Wibberley.
The newsclips are all from the Evening Telegraph.
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EVENING TELEGRAPH, Tuesday, December 23, 1986
Cheers — Youngsters at Newton Road Infants' School, Rushden, celebrated as they waited for the arrival of Father Christmas. Santa had 178 wide-eyed admirers when he arrived to hand out presents and chat to all the pupils. His visit was the highlight of the school's Christmas party.
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October 1987
Pupils' gifts to elderly
ELDERLY members of the Cordwainers Day Centre, Rushden, were entertained with harvest songs and poems by youngsters from the town's Newton Road Infants School.
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GIFT . . . Winne Wooding receives her gifts from Duane St John and Kristi Allinson, both aged six
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The pupils staged their annual harvest service for parents who packed the school hall earlier in the day.
The baskets of produce were received from the procession of youngsters by Linnet Smith, wife of the Rector of Rushden, and school staff.
Songs and poems
Each class sang harvest songs and recited poetry. Afterwards Mrs Smith spoke to the youngsters and led prayers.
Then the school's two top classes, gold and purple, visited the day centre at Rushden Hospital with some of the harvest gifts, and entertained with seasonal hymns and poems.
The remaining produce was sold to parents and funds in aid of the BBC s Children in Need Appeal.
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December 1987
Dads create nature area
DADS dug in to convert a corner of a concrete playground into a haven for wildlife.
Rushden Newton Road Infant School have been given a £2,900 donation from the BBC's Children in Need appeal to provide a grassed area and playground equipment.
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Roger Watts, Michael Graham, Michael Wilkinson and Barrie Allen
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Installing a slide and other adventure equipment on special rubberised surfaces proved so expensive that there was little cash left over for a grass and nature corner.
But five fathers decided to pitch in and local businesses loaned them equipment.
The school now has a 10 metre square turfed garden with a pond and shrubs.
Headmistress Carolyn Wibberley said it was planned to stock the pond with fish, frogs and newts so the pupils could study nature at close quarters.
The parents taking part in the project were Roger Watts, Michael Graham, Michael Wilkinson, Barrie Allen and Jeff Wills. |
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1988 - A Trip to LegoLand at Windsor
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February 1989
Building unveiled
DELIGHTED governors were thrilled to unveil the opening of a new school block in Rushden
Work has now been completed on the facelift at Newton Road Infants School and the smiling faces tell the story.
Pictured left : Alan Mantle, chairman of governors, four-year-old Ashleigh Gordge, chairman of the school's sub-committee Mary Bland and head Carol Wibberley show off the new block
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May 1989
Royal pupils
TOP class pupils at Rushden Newton Road Infant School elected their own May King and Queen to reign over the traditional May Day celebrations.
(pictured) were attended by princesses Donna Holmes and Melanie Nunley, all aged seven
They were crowned by Joan Hill who retired as a full-time teacher at the school last year, but now helps on a part-time basis. About 100 parents and relatives watched the ceremony.
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James Hatt and Donna Wilkinson
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18 May 1990
Lessons are going cheep!
CHICK on the shoulder ... Excited seven-year-old Sarah Clark and her classmates watched in wonder as 11 fluffy chicks hatched from eggs in their school incubator.
Youngsters at Rushden Newton Road Infant School had been carefully turning the eggs three times a day — helped by the caretaker at the weekends.
Head teacher, Carol Wibberley said: "The children were delighted to see the eggs hatch. We were very lucky to be so successful — all but one hatched."
The eggs were provided a Rushden smallholder
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An Outing to Birmingham Airport and International Railway Station in 1990
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19th March, 1992
Fashion in a class of its own!
A Class Act! Teacher Julie Simmonds and parent Kay Haynes pose with lollipop lady Hazel Ball.
They were just two of the models at a fashion show which was organised at Rushden Newton Road Infants School by Helen Roper of Bedford.
The display attracted an audience of pupils’ parents and their friends and money raised will go into school funds.
A variety of outfits for all occasions were modelled and the audience also had an opportunity to buy.
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5th July 1992 Classes in the park
CHILDREN'S poet and entertainer Simon Pitt made a day out in a country park a red letter day for schoolchildren.
| FUN ... for Emma Westley, Yvonne James and Jai Sykes on their big day out |
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All 182 pupils of Newton Road Infants School, Rushden, spent a day in Irchester Country Park.
Head Carol Wibberley said: "The whole school took part in a cross-curricular day based on the park and the poet and entertainer joined us.
"The pupils also enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park and took part in a variety of activities."
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28th January, 1993
A day back at school
TWO elderly people went back to their old school to say thank you to pupils.
Children from Newton Road Infants School in Rushden regularly visit pensioners at Cordwainers Day Centre at Rushden Hospital.
The youngsters collect harvest produce for the elderly people at the centre.
Doris Waller, 92, and Frank Austin, 90, pictured with pupils and teachers, visited the school to present story tapes and books as a thank you.
The pair once attended the school themselves and were treated to a tour and tea by members of the gold and purple classes.
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12th February 1993
Pupils meet council boss
AN INSIGHT into the work of a council chairman kept these children enthralled.
Youngsters from Newton Road infants School in Rushden met East Northants Council chairman Alan Mantle who showed them around his office at Rushden Hall Cllr Mantle, pictured with the pupils, said: "I explained the work I do and a little about the district council's role. "The only problem was some children thought I lived at the Hall."
Cllr Mantle also arranged for the children to colour in a copy of the East Northants Council badge and two lucky winners signed the visitors' book.
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March 1993
Pantomania hits school staff and parents
PARENTS and staff at Newton Road Infant School in Rushden hoping their production of Cinderella will be prince among pantomimes.
They teamed up for third year running t write and perform their own panto for the children to watch.
It has proved such a success they have almost sold out of tickets already.
The show, running from Thursday to Saturday at the school in Newton Road, has a cast of 50. School head Carolyn Wibberley, playing Auntie Grabalot, said: "We have been rehearsing since Christmas. There's been a few hiccups but we will get it right eventually.
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PANTO FUN - l-r : Katie Moulton as Cinderella, Dave Stephenson as Marigold, Ken Hindmarch as Petunia, Don Aspinall as Japonica.
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"It's a very good thing because it gets the whole community together for everybody to enjoy themselves."
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20th March 1993
Service with a smile by pupils
POEMS, songs and flowers brightened up the annual Mother's Day festivities at a Rushden school.
All 85 children from Newton Road Infants School took part in the Mother's Day service on Friday.
Head Carolyn Wibberley said the youngsters sang songs, read poems and presented their mothers with flowers. Linnet Smith, wife of Rushden Rector the Rev Alan Smith, also spoke at the service. Pictured are reception class children with flowers for their mothers.
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October 1993
Keep on collecting
FAMILIES and friends of youngsters at a Rushden infant school are being recruited to help collect store vouchers for books and sports equipment.
Pupils at Newton Road Infants School have already collected vouchers issued by WH Smith which will entitle them to about £60 worth of books. They are also collecting vouchers from Boots the Chemist to help buy school sports equipment.
Head teacher Carolyn Wibberley said: "We have been doing very well with the book vouchers and the closing date is Friday.
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HARD AT WORK... collectors Nathan Taylor, five, Linzi Smout, six and Daniel Humphries, six, sort out the vouchers
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"We have only just started collecting the vouchers for sports equipment and we are hoping for a similar response."
Anyone who can help should drop the vouchers in to the school.
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November 1993
Readers recall school days at Newton
Sweet treats made by cookery pupils
AS A pupil of Newton Road School, Rushden, from 1916 to early 1924, memories include the headmistress of the infants school, a Miss Scott, a very prim and proper but kind lady.
Also there was Mr Leonard Perkins, head of what we called the "big school" and the senior lady teacher, Mrs Hensman.
Both left Newton Road in September, 1925, to spearhead the opening of the then intermediate school in Hayway, Rushden.
Mrs Hensman after retiring did yeoman service for the patients of Rushden Hospital right up to her final days reaching the ripe old age of 100.
Other vivid memories were school meals during the 1914 war years. They were mainly lentil soup and puddings made by the cookery class.
I also remember the sweet shop opposite the school gate in the front room of an end terrace house. Access was through the kitchen and rear living room. I understand the house was a victim of the bomb which fell in Robert Street.
I recognised some of the boys in your photograph of the class of 1920. In those days they were referred to as standards from 2 to 7 and 7a. Mrs Hensman was the teacher of 7 and 7a, which was housed in the main hall.
I have many other memories, among them seeing H E Bates wearing his red and white Kettering Boys School scarf as he went about his duties as a reporter for the local press.
B Bollard
Rockingham Court, Rushden
Bomb wrecked the classrooms
WITH reference to your article on the centenary of Newton Road Infants School, Rushden. I was born fifty yards from the school starting there when I was four years old in 1920.
The head master at that time was W J or "Jimmie" Reynolds as he was called.
The German land mine which dropped and damaged the school also destroyed a row of houses in Robert Street and all the ceilings in my parent's house came down in the blast.
Aubrey Penness
18 Dell Place, Rushden
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Dec 1993 And they call it puppet love!
It was a case of puppet love for young Claire Gilman and James Coles when puppeteer Chris Covington visited them at Newton Road Infants School.
Claire and James, both six, and their pals at the school enjoyed an entertainment-packed afternoon during the annual visit from Star Puppets. Head Carolyn Wibberley said the pupils always enjoyed the traditional show.
The children will take part in a Christmas concert next Wednesday and will be visited by Santa Claus on Thursday, December 16.
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May 1994
Boost for cancer funds
Looking like a cross between Harpo and Zeppo Marx is cheeky clown John Harris of Newton Road Infant School in Rushden.
John, 6, and his school chums raised an amazing £240 in a mere hour and a half with a street collection for the Macmillan Fund for Cancer Relief.
Explained head teacher Carolyn Wibberley: "We have a book fair once a year, when we ask the children to dress up as one of their favourite characters.
"The children pay 20p for the privilege, and ail the money goes to the Helen House Hospice in Oxford for terminally ill children.
"But this year we decided to raise money for the Macmillan appeal as well."
Mrs Wibberley expects a final total raised to be over £300.
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May 1994 Fruity Fun for children
Six-year-olds Kerri Dickens and Mary-Jane Mayow tucked into baskets of fruit as their prizes for winning a colouring contest.
The pair, along with other pupils from Newton Road Infants School, Rushden, took part in a fruit week where they tasted and studied different kinds of fruits.
Community dietician Julia Pentelow visited the school to speak to parents about various healthy eating.
The week ended with the presentation of baskets of fruit to the winners of the colouring contest, devised by the manager of Budgens supermarket in Rushden, Michael Spalding.
Kerri is a pupil in year one and Mary-Jane in year two. Reception class pupil Kirsty Watson also won a basket of fruit.
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January 1995
Trip Back in Time
A STERN look on the face of school governors' chairman Alan Mantle means trouble for someone.
Mr Mantle had taken a step back in time for some important celebrations and helped recreate the atmosphere of yesteryear.
left - Alan Mantle in Victorian mood
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January 1995 : School rolls back years
YOUNGSTERS will be turning back the pages of history as they celebrate their school centenary on Thursday.
Pupils of Newton Road Infant School in Rushden will be wearing Victorian style dress for the occasion.
The celebrations will include a traditional Punch and Judy show and there will be a party when a birthday cake will be cut.
Commemorative mugs will also be presented to the youngsters.
Head Carolyn Wibberley said: "The parents provided beautiful Victorian style outfits for the children at the carol service.
"I'm sure they will enjoy wearing them again for our Victorian day."
The school's celebrations will continue on Saturday, February 4, when there will be a reunion get-together by invitation.
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April 1995 : Footloose fun!
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SOLEMATES ... Mr Wells with, from left, Jonathan Gilson, seven, Leanne Billing, seven, Simon Taylor, six, and Melanie Bennett, seven
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FUNDRAISING schoolchildren will help spearhead a campaign for Macmillan Nurses.
The Walk A Mile Appeal will be launched on Monday, May 8, and the cash raised will help fund Macmillan Nurses who care for the terminally ill at home.
These youngsters from Newton Road Infants School in Rushden have covered cut-outs of their feet with coins and will use their artwork to publicise the event.
Head Carolyn Wibberley and area appeal organiser for the Macmillan Nurses, Bill Wells, said they hoped the childrens' efforts would encourage other fundraisers.
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October 1995
Refugees will get harvest goodies
PENSIONERS and Bosnian war victims will benefit from a harvest festival.
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Youngsters at Newton Road Infants School in Rushden took tinned goods as well as fresh fruit and vegetables to the seasonal celebration. Head Carolyn Wibberley said: "The non-perishables will go to Euroaid Harvest for the Homeless project. Food parcels are to be sent to the refugees in Bosnia.
Other gifts were taken to Cordwainers Day Centre at Rushden Hospital by Year 2 children, who also entertained the pensioners with songs and poems. Our picture shows pupil Laura Haynes, seven, with Mabel Sudborough, 97, left, and Minnie Minney, 90, at the day centre.
The remainder of the produce was sold and the money will go to the Helen House Hospice for terminally ill children.
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December 1995 :
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Another string to their bows |
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PUPPET on a string! Spellbound youngsters enjoyed the magical story of the goose that laid a golden egg at Rushden.
Pupils at Newton Road Infants School were entertained by Star Puppets, of Yardley Gobion.
Head teacher Carolyn Wibberley said. "The children had a really exciting day as earlier they listened to the brass group from the county Music School
"The entertainment was the start of our Christmas festivities at the school and the children really enjoyed it."
Left: Puppeteer Chris Covington shows five-year-old Louisa McBridge how it's done at Newton Road Infants School
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February 1996 : A vital lesson
A LESSON in road safety turned into lots of fun for youngsters.
Staff at Rushden Newton Road Infants School have been hammering home the road safety message during the past week.
The lessons included acting out familiar road side crossing routines.
Head Carolyn Wibberley said: "The younger pupils had cardboard cut-out cars in the playground, a belisha beacon and lollipop crossing outfits."
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LEARNING FOR LIFE ... four-year-old Lucy Martin and Shane Bates, five
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July 1997 - Maytime smiles - even if it's July!
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Right Royal Day - king and queen Jake Vincett and Leanne Craker, centre, with princesses Elizabeth Plummer, left, and Louisa McBride
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THE sun broke through rainclouds just long enough for youngsters to enjoy their already postponed May dance. Pupils at Newton Road Infants School in Rushden entertained parents and friends with an afternoon of traditional country and maypole dancing.
Year 2 pupils chose their July king and queen, Jake Vincett and Leanne Craker, and princesses Louisa McBride and Elizabeth Plummer. They were crowned by Newton Road Junior School head Alan Harper.
Infants school head Carolyn Wibberley said the event used to be held in May but was put back because of national school tests. She said: "We put it back to June but had to put it back again because of the weather."
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12th September 1997
Tasty way to help boost charity
TEACHERS and staff cooked up a tasty treat for their pupils as they took a lesson in fundraising.
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SERVING UP A REAL TREAT
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Sinade Yule, six, helps teacher Gerry Mason to dish up breakfast at Newton Road Infants' School
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A letter in the Evening Telegraph from television personality Gloria Hunniford earlier this year prompted the event at Newton Road Infants' School yesterday.
The appeal for people to breakfast for Breakthough, the charity which carries out research into breast cancer, was taken up by teacher Gerry Mason.
She said: "Two of our mums and a member of staff have all suffered breast cancer so it was a cause dear to our hearts.
"All the food was donated by local supermarkets Budgens, Safeway, Solo, Tesco and Iceland.
"We served breakfasts of cornflakes, sausage and beans, bread, butter and jam to 160 children."
The children paid 50p and form parents made extra donations. It is hoped to have raised more than £100. |
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Above: from left Sarah Sanders, six, Sam Owen, seven, and Stephanie Hostler, four, dressed up for Book Week |
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April 1998
Booked for lots of fun
THESE clowns enjoyed a day of juggling, walking on stilts and biscuit making at their school.
The pupils and teachers at Newton Road Infant School, dressed as clowns to celebrate Book Week.
There was a book fair at the school throughout the week and children from the junior school came in to read stories to the pupils.
Head Carolyn Wibberley said: "Everybody looked fantastic. There were some sad, white faces with tears and lots of bright colours.
"We are a healthy school so we wanted to encourage the children to buy a book instead of an Easter egg this year."
Each class paraded to clown music in the morning assembly on Wednesday.
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Nigel Bedford and Michaela Butler
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September 2000
They're in the fashion
CATWALK twirls were taken into an infant school yesterday.
After practising in the afternoon the pupils of Newton Road Infants School, Rushden, took to the fashion world.
The children, aged between two years and 12, put on a 30-minute show in front of parents.
Head Caroline Wibberley, said: "It was a good evening and was well attended." She said there was a good mixture of boys and girls in the 25 children who took part. The school estimates that commission and money from the raffle will raise at least £75 for funds. Children's clothing firm BRATS provided clothes for the show.
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YOUNGSTERS' CLOTHES SHOW
Five-year-olds Victoria Cell (left), Keiron Hinde and Roxanne Cox prepare for the show
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Dec 2000
Schools bid a sad farewell
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Saying goodbye to Mr Stephenson are; top from left, Sarah Robinson, six, and Catherine Halfyard, six; front, left, Daniel Rapley, six, and Aaron Sinclair, seven
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AFTER 20 years as site supervisor at Newton Road Infant and Junior Schools in Rushden, David Stephenson, 63, is retiring.
Dave, as he likes to be called, lived in the house attached to the site but has now moved to Raunds.
He said: "I have had some good times at the schools. I shall miss all the banter that goes on."
Carolyn Wibberley, head of the infant school, said: "He is a super fellow. We shall all miss him, he has been a good friend to the staff and the children all love him."
She said that nothing was too much trouble for him.
Dave has no special plans for his retirement but contact with the school will not be lost.
He will be making the journey to the school every day, taking his wife Maureen who works there as a lunchtime supervisor.
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JOIN UP THE DOTS – school head Carolyn Wibberley with from top, her dalmations Latashia Cunnington, Hannah Samanon, and Shanice Snape
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3rd April 2001
Knocking spots off
CRUELLA de Vil had a tight leash on her puppies when they padded into school.
Head of Newton Road Infant School, Carolyn Wibberley, dressed as the hard-hearted character to start of the school's book week and was joined by Noddy and a host of other favourite characters.
"The children all looked brilliant," she said. "I am really grateful to all the parents who put in a lot of effort making the costumes."
All the staff had joined in and she said: "They all looked fantastic, too."
During assembly the children paraded around the school hall so they could all see each other’s costumes.
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Final bell for school
PAST and present pupils and teachers gathered to celebrate more than 100 years of history at a school which closes on Friday.
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MEMORIES - Jack Tear, left, and Charles Watts were both pupils
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Newton Road Infant School, hosted a special party on Saturday because after this week it will cease to exist as it merges with Newton Road Junior to form one school.
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Head teacher Carolyn
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About 600 tickets were sold for the party.
A display of school photographs from the school's 106-year history and a video compilation of performances given over the years by pupils was shown.
Head teacher Carolyn Wibberley, who will be taking early retirement, has been at the school 15 years.
She said: "The party is just a way of saying thank you to the people who've supported the school over the years.
"They've been a very good group to work with."
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And so as the school was merged in 2001, the much loved Mrs Wibberley, despite a hard campaign by parents to keep her in post, was cast aside.
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