Pupils at Messing Primary School, near Tiptree, have celebrated the 100th anniversary of their school’s foundation with a 1914 themed street party. Former England and Essex cricket captain Nasser Hussain OBE was on hand to help with the celebrations and led a boys and girls cricket practice during the afternoon.
To start the day of celebrations, the children and staff dressed up in period costume and enjoyed learning how students from a hundred years ago would have lived.
Students planted a cherry tree in the grounds of the school to mark the centenary and buried a time capsule, containing items from 2014, including hand-written poems, examples of school work and a photo of boy-band One Direction.
Headteacher Jackie Halliday explained, “We hope that children in another 100 years will discover our time capsule and enjoying learning about 2014 as much as our pupils have enjoyed learning about 1914 today.”
Parents and friends of Messing Primary School joined the street party in the afternoon for a traditional tea dance and entertainment.
The school has gone from strength to strength in recent months after becoming an Academy in 2013, sponsored by New Hall School, an ‘outstanding’ independent boarding and day school in Chelmsford. Nasser Hussain, who works as Professional Cricket Coach at New Hall School said, “It is wonderful that through our partnership we can work with pupils at Messing to develop their sport skills, particularly on days like this. It has been a wonderful celebration.”
The centenary celebrations continue with a special exhibition featuring memories from the last 100 years, at Messing Village Hall on September 25 from 6pm. Staff and pupils will present a unique body of work based on the school’s 100‐year history. Former pupils, staff, pupils, parents, residents and the local community are all invited to attend this free event.