Friday afternoon at Portsmouth High Prep School was full of expectation and delight as the school opened its doors wide and welcomed grandparents into school.
There was much excitement and laughter as the children proudly showed their grandparents into classrooms and showed off some of the work they have been doing this term. Many grandparents had brought interesting items from times gone by to share with their grandchildren, teachers and friends.
Heidi, in Year 6, had her grandparents with her who brought in a display case from WW2. It belonged to Mrs Johnson’s grandfather and was presented to him in 1914 by Princess Mary.
‘I don’t know who is more excited, me or Izzy. This is one of the highlights of the year for us,’ said the Grandad of Izzy in Year 3.
At the start of the afternoon grandparents gathered in the school hall for some musical entertainment from the children and were even treated to a surprise flash mob.
‘We loved the singing and how the children engage with the music,’ said Olivia’s Granddad, Phil Parkinson. Olivia added ‘I like it when my grandparents come to the school and see my classroom.’
Ann Clark, grandparent of Evie, Year 4, and alumna of Portsmouth High School, Class of 1965, said; ‘It brings back so many memories coming back to the school. The ethos is still the same – encouraging girls to have careers is the same now as it was then. I just can’t leave the school alone.’
The grandparents of Charlie in Reception Class, Mr and Mrs Moss, came over from the Isle of Wight via hovercraft and said ‘What a bright and cheery school this is and it’s so lovely to be involved in a day like today.’
Mr Paul Marshallsay, Headmaster of the Prep School, said: ‘It is lovely to welcome so many of our grandparents across the years. They add so much to our community and it’s lovely to have them all here together.’
Mr and Mrs Graham, grandparents of Priya, in Pre-School, said: ‘We are delighted to be here to see Priya’s classroom. It is an absolute delight to have a grandchild so happy to come to school.’
