The afternoon opened with a performance from the Bilton Silver Training Band, many of whom are Old Crescentians. They played to an appreciative audience and provided a magnificent start to the sunny afternoon. In the carnival atmosphere children played with the family games set out on the field, while their parents enjoyed catching up and reminiscing outside and over refreshments in the decorated school hall.

Throughout the school the classrooms and corridors were filled with displays and memorabilia and visitors were encouraged to explore. Many were delighted to find old photos of themselves and examples of work that had been retrieved from the archives. Foundation Archivist, Janette Ratcliffe, was kept busy as many provided new information and memories for her collection. Some of their memories included anecdotal insights such as ‘watching the moon landing sitting in the hall’, ‘wearing my school beret para-trooper style and being much berated’, ‘being punished for scrumping apples’ and ‘the smell of polish whilst sitting cross legged in assembly’.

The school choir had been hard at work practising a series of specially prepared pieces and they also put on a wonderful outdoor performance. Past pupils found the words to the school song spring to their lips and eagerly joined in.

The school was honoured to welcome back two former headteachers, Mrs Christine Barrett, who led the school from 1971 to 1992, and Mr Huw Marshall, who retired only last year. Both enjoyed seeing the latest improvements to the school, catching up with old colleagues and sharing their own memories of their time at the Crescent.

In the evening the school hosted a Platinum Anniversary Dinner Dance at the Foundation’s senior school Princethorpe College. It was a very convivial affair with some ninety guests associated with the Crescent treated to a delicious three-course meal, followed by speeches from past pupils from across the decades, live music and dancing till midnight. The revellers wended their happy way home after a long but successful day.

There are further events planned for this anniversary year. They include an inaugural pub meet at the Merchant’s Inn in Rugby on Friday 23 November and a Carol Service on Monday 17 December in the Temple Speech Rooms at Rugby School, close to the Crescent’s first home at Horton Crescent.

Anyone who has a connection to the school who would like to share their memories and be kept up to date with news from the school can complete and return the form here or contact oldcrescentians@crescentschool.co.uk.

Huge thanks go to the Anniversary Committee of staff and past pupils who worked so hard to organise the celebrations.