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Miss Gillett Opens Art Atrium
Miss Mildred Gillett, Head at Hampreston First School 1938-1955, officially opened the new Art Atrium at Hampreston as part of her 100th birthday celebrations.
Miss Mildred Gillett officially opened the new Art Atrium at Hampreston First School on the 23rd of April as part of her 100th birthday celebrations.
Miss Gillett was Head at Hampreston First School from 1938-1955 as witnessed in the school log books. She then went on to be Head at Colehill First School. Her family were particularly well known in Talbot Village and she wrote two books: 'Talbot Village' and 'Wanderings in Talbot Village'.
Miss Gillett steered the school through the wartime period and refused to allow difficulties to affect the children in her care. She gained a reputation for raising standards in the children’s education and also in the improvements she managed to make to the school buildings, for example, in providing indoor toilets to replace the outdoor ones, still to be seen in the playground but now used as a PE store. She persuaded the LEA to put in more than was deemed necessary. This, we believe, was typical of her determination to obtain the best for the school! Miss Gillett also placed the school firmly at the heart of the local community, producing plays and entertainments to which all were invited. The school log books reveal her dedication to Hampreston School, her belief in the Christian ethos and her emphasis on hard work and discipline.
The new Art Atrium will be used for art, drama and music. This new addition to the school building, together with extensions to the Year 2 and Year 3 classrooms will ensure that the children at Hampreston continue to receive an education to equip them for the 21st Century as well as enjoying the long treasured traditions of the school. There is now room for an enhanced computer suite which is currently being planned.
Guests to the Opening Ceremony of the Atrium included Mrs Jill Mumford, Head at Hampreston from 1992- 2005, Mrs Jennifer Trehane, daughter of Mr David Trehane, who was Chair of Governors during Miss Gillett’s headship and with whom she worked in great mutual respect, Matron and Miss Gillett’s carer from the Nightingale Nursing Home where Miss Gillett currently resides.
It was a privilege and honour for the staff and children to welcome Miss Gillett back to school. The children sang to her and presented her with a bouquet of flowers. She enjoyed tea and cake with her guests afterwards.
Jane Marshall - Headteacher
