By Nick Griffiths

Published at 14:26, Friday, 08 March 2013

A call has gone out to reunite the class of ’63 as a school celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Keith Boyd pictured in class 8 at Newlaithes Junior school when it first opened in 1963

Thousands of children have passed through the doors of Newlaithes Junior School in Carlisle and the first pupils to be taught there are being invited back to mark its half century.

The year it opened, The Beatles released their debut album, the first episode of TV’s Doctor Who was aired and the world was shocked by the assassination of US president John F Kennedy.

On Carlisle’s Morton estate about 140 fresh-faced schoolchildren started at the brand-new building on Langrigg Road, where headmaster Bob Simons helped start a new chapter in the city’s education history.

In July the school is celebrating this milestone – it was officially opened in the summer – by inviting back the original pupils, now aged between about 55 and 60, and any of the teachers who have taught at the school.

Andrew Cannon, the current headteacher, said: “We are trying to invite as many people that were there in 1963 back to an afternoon of celebration.

“We will have people talking about the time back then and hopefully gather together pictures and photos.

“We’re trying to find as many of the original pupils and of course any staff.

“I asked in assembly which children had grans and granddads who used to come to this school and about a tenth put their hands up. We’re hoping this will help spread the word.”

The school, then known as Newlaithes Primary School, grew over its first few years as the Morton estate itself expanded.

By 1965 it had up to 240 children, a similar number to now. The infant school next door was built in 1965.

The links with the school’s past continue today. Among the current teachers is Karen Lowther, whose mum Norma Lowther, formerly Burrell, was a teacher there when the school opened.

Keith Boyd, who lives in Morton, was in the first intake at the age of eight. He has memories of snowball fights and playing football for the school team. “Everything was brand new, it was absolutely a dream to be there,” he said, but added: “I remember the Scottish country dancing that we tried to avoid like the plague.”

Mr Boyd later became a school governor and was chairman of the governors between 2007 and 2011.

He said parts of the school have changed with the times, including the creation of a new state-of-the art computer suite. But, he said, “the fabric of the building” had not changed too much.

On the celebrations, he said: “We are really happy to be able to celebrate 50 years of what’s proven to be such as successful school.”

Mr Cannon said any original pupils or former teachers should phone the school on 01228 512768 to find out more.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk