PUPILS in Portishead are celebrating the completion of their new school building.
As children started moving in to their new classrooms at St Peter’s Primary School, a time capsule filled with items to reflect 2014 was buried in front of the new building where it will stay for the next 50 years.
Staff from Willmott Dixon, the construction company working on the refurbishment and new build, helped the pupils bury the capsule, which contained a variety of items from every class in the school.
The mementoes ranged from photographs of pupils and an example of the current school uniform, to a calculator, felt tips, a mobile phone and a newspaper.
The new premises includes a large school hall, a modern learning resource area and nine classrooms with state-of-the-art equipment, including the latest tablets, laptops and projectors. A new playground has also been created.
The expansion will allow the pupil roll at the school to increase from 430 to 630, at full capacity.
Headteacher Sharon Roberts said: “We are delighted with the new building, which will be used by our older pupils. We have decided to name it The Pier to highlight the next stage in the pupils’ lives.”
The time capsule marks the end of phase two of the school’s expansion programme and while some children have already moved in to new classrooms, others will make the transition during the summer term.
Willmott Dixon will now move on to the next phase of the £3million project, which involves refurbishing the existing school and sports facilities.
A disused meadow is currently being developed to provide an additional playing field which is expected to be completed in time for the school sports day.
The existing school building, which will be home to the younger children, has been named The Harbour. Around half of this building will undergo refurbishment to include three existing classrooms becoming staffrooms and office space in order to accommodate additional staff.
There will be new art and music studios and another classroom will be created in the year one area.
An official opening is planned for October 1 to celebrate the completion of all the work.
Mrs Roberts added: “Once the work is complete we will have superb facilities which will enhance the learning and opportunities we provide for all of our children. It is a very exciting time to be at St Peter’s.”
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