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| 1961 | The house called Edenhurst in Westlands Avenue was sold to Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Copestick by Mr. Todd Newbold. The Newbold family had lived there since 1919. During World War Two, the cellars had been used as an ARP post. Building work commenced in the Spring of that year to convert the house into suitable accommodation for pupils who would be attending the school and for the Copestick family to live in. By September, 24 pupils were enrolled for the first day of term, aged between 3 and 15! The school register records that, by the end of the first term, there were 57 pupils at the school and by the end of the first school year, 108. The school fees were 60 guineas per annum. | ||
| 1962 | Construction of the New Building began, complete with hall/gymnasium and classrooms on the ground floor. The Headmaster, Bill Copestick, had designed an office for himself, approximately 3 ft by 7 ft! He didn"t spend much time there, preferring to encourage staff and pupils on his travels around the school. The kitchen of the old house was extended and equipped to cater for 150 lunches. Allotments adjacent to the school were purchased and laid as grass playing fields for soccer, hockey and cricket. An old RAF wooden hut was installed for use as changing rooms. The school"s first Carol Service was held at St. Andrew"s Church. | ||
| 1963 | The Art room was built on top of a flat roof in the main building. The Copestick family moved out of school into a new house after the birth of Robin, as both they and the school needed more space. | ||
| 1964 | After Inspection by HMI, the school was Recognised as Efficient by the Department of Education. The Car Park was formed and tarmaced. Second floor classrooms were built on top of the New Building ground floor. The first School Play - Quality Street was performed for parents on stage at school. | ||
| 1965 | The school magazine Annalia records that 11 pupils took the Common Entrance to boarding schools while eleven others gained places at local grammar schools. Two pupils gained GCE passes! | ||
| 1966 | Sports Day was held for the first time, on the field at school. | ||
| 1969 | The Headmaster became a member of the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools. This was to become significant over twenty years later, as the inspection of independent schools was handed over to the Independent School Council. By the end of the year, over 650 pupils had come and gone. | ||
