Welcome Home to S.P.S.

William Shakespeare once said, “For what is a city but for the people?” Likewise I ask, “For what is our school but for you people?” The bricks and mortar here have no meaning without you – you are Stratford Primary School – past and present - and I know that we all make our mark in varying ways while at school, (more often than not carved into the top of a desk!), and leave a little of ourselves behind when we go, but we all take so much more away with us at the end of our time here.
I see familiar faces out there – only some familiar to me though, but all familiar to someone in this hall, because we all have something in common. We are all a part of the history of Stratford Primary School.
This weekend realises 125 years of education for Stratford Primary School – thank you all for being here to share in this milestone for our school and for our town!
The Jubilee Committee has been working hard since 2004 to provide the forum for an exciting weekend of celebrations - I take this opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to all those “upright and loyal” old pupils and staff, and friends with varied connections to Stratford Primary School, for a special few days renewing friendships and sharing memories of a special time and place in our lives.
The next few days will no doubt be filled with chit-chat and memories, and laughter, and even tears.
Ex-pupils and staff will meet up again – how will the years have treated us all? Teachers will look the same to students, but students will be a little more difficult for teachers’ to recognise - what with a few inches added to their height (& waist!), a few whiskers or grey hairs, a bit of life experience, and a few decades or more added to their school age!
Dedicated Principals’, staff and school committee and board members, along with a supportive school community, have provided for many successes for Stratford Primary School over the years. We are very proud of all that our school has been in the past and all that it strives to be in the future.
It always has been such a great place to learn and a fun place to be – what a quality school!
May the spirit of friendship and goodwill be with you all over this Jubilee weekend – we trust that this will be a happy and memorable occasion for you all!
Viv Lett
JUBILEE CHAIRPERSON
Welcome Speech - Opening Ceremony




Presentation for the Stratford Primary School Jubilee, June 2007. Featuring 8mm film clips of the school in the 1930s taken by Lewis Mervyn Fairbrother, Deputy Headmaster, 1937 -1939. Thanks to Ralph Fairbrother for donating this DVD to Stratford Primary School.