Headteachers past and present plant Silver Birch for school’s 25th Anniversary
Headteachers past and present came together to mark the start of Meadowdale Primary School’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, by planting the first tree in the school’s new Forest School area.
The silver birch, chosen to represent 25 years, was planted by current Headteacher, Mrs Martin, former Heads, Mrs Hunnings and Mrs Rodger, alongside the school’s first Deputy Head, Mrs Kirby. The tree was purchased thanks to donations from the community, as the school is preparing to replant its whole Forest School following building work to complete its new Key Stage 1 building.
Speaking of the event, Mrs Martin said, “Our wonderful school opened its doors on 10th January 2001 to just 40 children. Twenty-five years on and we have close to 400 children, aged 4-11, attending every day and filling our classrooms with laughter and learning. It was wonderful to welcome back our former Headteachers and Deputy Headteacher, to see how we have evolved and to share our up and coming plans with them. We spent time touring the school, showing them our new building and reminiscing about how the school has grown and changed over time.”
Mrs Hunnings alongside Mrs Kirby opened the school in 2001, growing the school from a single intake of just one class, to filling the school over next five years. Mrs Rodger became Headteacher in 2008, before Mrs Martin took over in 2020. On returning to the school, the former staff members presented the school with a wonderful encyclopaedia to support the children’s education.
Continuing, Mrs Martin said, “Next month we will begin planting our new Forest School, designed by Harborough Woodland and made possible thanks to Dan Fordham Tree Care, who raised over £2,200 for us by recycling Christmas trees, our parents and local business who supported our appeal and the children’s carol singing in December. We have been overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and we can’t thank them enough. The planting event will see native trees filling the space around the front of the new Key Stage 1 block, which is home to our Year 1 and 2 children. We are incredibly excited to start using the space and invigorating the children’s love for the environment and nature.”
For further information on the school and to make enquiries about school places for September 2026, please email office@mdw.learnat.uk or visit www.meadowdale.info