n Friday 1st June 2012, after years of planning, designing and building work, the new, greatly improved school was officially opened. It was a proud day for everyone.  Not only were we celebrating our new school, but the fact that the school was (just over) 60 years old AND it was the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. 

 

In the week leading up to the Opening Celebration, we had a resident artist in school to create a wooden sculpture of Paddington Bear, who also turned 60 this year!  The children were able to watch, amazed, as Paddington, his suitcases and, of course, his marmalade sandwiches, evolved before their eyes.  Paddington was not the only new arrival in school during the week.  The celebrations also saw the arrival of 'The Mandeville Zoo'! ...During the week, each class painted a brilliant collection of large fibre glass animals, which can now be seen around the school.

 

The afternoon celebrations on Opening Celebration Day started with a treasure hunt and a street party for the children, before the visiting guests arrived.  Then, once our various important guests were assembled, there were some wonderful musical performances and speeches, before Paddington was unveiled and a spectacular release of red, white and blue balloons took place.  Next, the 'Mandeville Museum' was opened in the hall. Here, fascinating displays telling the history of the school, of St Albans and of the decades since the Queen's Coronation, which the children had been working very hard on all week, were enjoyed by visitors. Four enomous cakes were cut and shared by all.

 

It was a wonderful day and fantastic to see so many faces from Mandeville past and present enjoying the celebration.