Pupils and staff of the newly opened Berewood Primary School in Waterlooville welcomed the wider community this week with a number of special events designed to mark the very beginning of its history. The brand-new school is a member of the University of Chichester Academy Trust and was built to serve the new development of Berewood, accepting its first 67 pupils this term.
Activities during the week celebrated connections between the new school and its locality within the royal hunting ground of the ancient Forest of Bere, alongside the River Wallington which links it to the wider area. The pupils – ranging in age from four to eleven – enjoyed weaving, cooking and decorating pebbles and making clay handprints to place in the grounds to commemorate the school’s opening. They also used their new technology resources for green screen videoing and made crowns to wear on a royal fun day with storytelling, followed by a family film night.
Demonstration birds of prey were a highlight of the main launch event on Thursday, 6th November, when the Academy welcomed The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Eileen Berry; The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Havant, Councillor Marjorie Smallcorn; the Bishop of Portsmouth, The Rt Revd. Christopher Foster; and 150 guests from the local and wider communities. Speaking to guests and pupils Sue Samson, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the University of Chichester Academy Trust, said: ‘It’s wonderful to be here in Berewood’s bright and beautiful new school, the latest member of our Academy Trust family. You have an inspirational head teacher, hand picked staff and a very special building and we will work in partnership with you to support your school to be the very best it can be. I look forward to being part of the next phase of your journey.’ Headteacher Sue Patrick added: ‘It’s been a wonderful week for the pioneer pupils and staff of Berewood Primary School. We have been so proud to welcome parents, neighbours and University colleagues to celebrate with us, as well as the amazing professionals who helped to design and build our school.
‘Above all, it has been a week of making long-lasting memories for our children and our new community at Berewood.