At the event, which welcomed everyone from the Class of 1965 to the Class of 2023, guests returned to the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ school to reflect on its long and successful history as well as the achievements of its current and former students.
As the guests arrived, they were given a tour of the school by current students and were excited to reunite with old friends and teachers. They also had the opportunity to look around the Alumni exhibition in the library which showcased the rich history and heritage of Newstead Wood School.
Upon returning to the main hall, guests enjoyed piano and cello music performed by the school’s talented students under the direction of the Head of Music, Stephen Flanagan. Guests were treated to an array of sandwiches, cakes, and tea as they caught up and went back down memory lane.
The event also featured other musical performances, including a fantastic rendition of ‘Never Enough’ from The Greatest Showman by current student Antonia Anthony Esiefiho, as well as speeches from notable alumni of the Classes of 1965 and 2015.
Rounding off the celebrations, Elizabeth Allen and Valerie Smith, two former Head Teachers of the school, cut a cake and were showered with a confetti celebration as they opened the raffle. Prizes were donated by a range of sponsors, including local businesses and the Newstead Wood Parents’ Association.
Whilst the event aimed to connect alumni across the generations, it also sought to inspire the current cohort of Newstead Wood students, who learnt about the achievements of the school’s former students.
Alan Blount, Head Teacher of Newstead Wood School, said:
“It was wonderful to bring over 200 former students and staff members together at our Alumni Afternoon Tea, all in celebration of our thriving school community. The day featured some exceptional performances and inspiring speeches and was a reminder of just how talented, warm, and generous our community is.
“I would like to thank everyone who attended for making the day so special and for contributing so fully to our alumni network, which only grows in strength year by year. It was a pleasure to read all the messages from everyone and hear their positive experiences of Newstead Wood School. All of us at the school are also grateful to our sponsors for supporting the event and donating to the raffle.
“Following the success of this year’s event, we very much look forward to providing further opportunities for our alumni to join together and celebrate our brilliant school in the future, as well as to connect with and inspire current students.”