Newcastle primary celebrates 150 years

Pupils and staff past and present gathered to celebrate when a school in Fenham reached a very special milestone.

It was the 150th anniversary of St George’s Catholic Primary, which was founded in 1875, when Queen Victoria was on the British throne – the same year that Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung and Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke were born, and writers Charles Kingsley and Hans Christian Andersen died.

The celebrations kicked off on Friday 4 July with a whole-school celebration for the current children and staff members at the school, which became part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust in 2021. The doors were then thrown open the following day for members of the community to join the fun.

“On Saturday 5 July we had an Open Day, and welcomed those who had any connections to the school, and who wanted to visit and see how the school has changed over the years,” explained Helen Douglass, who is Year 1 and 2 Class Teacher at St George’s.

“Visitors were able to look through photo albums, registers, and school logs from years gone by.”

“The school has seen so many changes over 150 years, the most obvious being in its physical appearance,” she said. “From the original one classroom, which still stands, through expansion to four classes. There’s been a dining room where the top yard is now, and various different ‘mobile’ classrooms.

“In the last two years, the school has undergone a massive building project, gaining an extra library and new Early Years classrooms.

“The school has managed to retain many original features while moving with the times.”

All children from Nursery to Year 6 were involved in the event, which included a range of themed activities that focused on the school’s history as well as its plans for the future.

“Executive Headteacher Anne Bullerwell and History Lead Gillian Ellin took the lead in planning and organising the events,” continued Mrs Douglass.

“We had a celebratory ‘street party’ lunch all together, with a celebration cake. We gathered together as a whole school to reflect, and each child received a commemorative gift.”

One project involved the ‘recreation’ of a school photograph thought to date from around 1880, which features the staff and pupils of the time standing in front of St George’s. 

“This anniversary has allowed us to bring together all our local knowledge and how it has impacted our school,” added Mrs Douglass.

“Celebrating the 150th anniversary of our school is a truly special occasion. It marks a proud legacy of faith, learning, and community that has shaped generations of children and families.

“For a century and a half, the school has stood as a place where Gospel values, care, and education come together.

“This milestone is not only a time to honour the past and those who built our school, but also a chance to come together as a community, giving thanks, and looking ahead with hope and pride.”