Sageston CP School first opened to pupils on February 18, 1953, there being 79 children on role and four members of staff - J. R. Powell (headteacher), C. J. Colman, M. Johns and H. Johnson.

Immediately prior to the school being built, children in the area attended either Loveston or Redberth schools. There had been a school in the parish in Carew Cheriton, but that was closed in September 1940, due to its close proximity to the RAF Airfield and the danger presented by the very many air raids that occurred during the war years.

The new school was designed to be easily converted to a hospital, should the airfield at Carew Cheriton need to be used again in the event of another war occurring - hence the long corridor running through the school.

The official opening ceremony took place on March 31, 1953, and was performed by Ald. B. G. Howells, chairman of Pembrokeshire Education Authority. Clr. D. W. Evans JP, vice-chairman of the education committee, presided over the event, and Clr. Lewis, chairman of the buildings sub-committee gave a vote of thanks.

The ceremonial opening began with a dedication from Rev. J. B. Lewis, following which the school choir sang the hymn 'Immortal, invisible, God only wise'. Col. Walter Barrett, county architect, then presented a souvenir key to Ald. Howells, who opened the main doors and those present then proceeded to the school hall where they listened to the addresses made and were entertained by items performed by pupils.

Over the years, pupil numbers have steadily increased and, in September 1999, a new wing was completed comprising of three classrooms, a headteacher's office and waiting room. The original three classrooms were also extended at this time. This wing was officially opened on February 9, 2000, by Clr. Bryan Phillips, chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council.

Now, in February, 2003, we have 140 pupils on role and this number looks to greatly increase over the next few years due to proposed housing development within our community which has already commenced.

Many happy memories and stories of past school days spent at Sageston have been sent to us, all of which we have set out in a celebratory booklet, and I thank all who have shared them with us. This booklet will be on sale from school over the next week at the price of £2.50.

I hope that this week of celebration will result in many more happy memories for past and present pupils, staff, governors, parents and friends alike.

I thank all for the tremendous support given continually over the last 50 years to our school, of which I am so justly proud to be headteacher.

Joan Morris,

Headteacher.

A royal message from the Palace:

The Queen wishes me to write and thank you all for your letters, in which you tell her Majesty that your school celebrates its 50th birthday this month.

The Queen was interested to hear you are marking this occasion with a week of events, including concerts and the opening of a garden in memory of one of your past headmasters, Mr. Owen.

Although it is not possible for Her Majesty to come and open the memorial garden, The Queen thought it was most kind of you to invite her, and thanks you all very much for your well-written letters.

Her Majesty hopes that Sageston School's Golden Jubilee celebrations will be most successful and greatly enjoyed by the staff, pupils and parents.

Lady-in-Waiting

Anniversary events:

To mark Sageston Community Primary School's 50th anniversary, a variety of jubilee celebrations are taking place next week.

Heralding the start of the programme is an Open Evening on Monday at 7 pm.

Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. Leslie Raymond, will officially open the evening and the events, while the current headteacher, Mrs. Joan Morris, will give a welcome, followed by an introduction from Mr. John Brock, chairman of governors.

The school choir will also be in attendance and will sing 'Immortal, Invisible, God only wise', which was sung at the official opening of the school in 1953.

In addition to performing the opening, Clr. Raymond will give an address, as will Pembrokeshire County Council's director of education, Mr. Gerson Davies, and county councillor Norman Parry, vice-chairman of the school governors.

Music will be on the agenda on Tuesday when the present pupils give a concert, while Wednesday sees the second of the week's Jubilee Open Evenings taking place. Both Tuesday's and Wednesday's events start at 7 pm.

The official opening and dedication of the Mr. E. K. Owen Memorial Garden takes place at 3 pm, while in the evening, past pupils will be coming together to perform at a concert at 7 pm.

The final day of the celebrations is Friday when the school is staging a pupils' Jubilee party and fun day, while in the evening, the anniversary is rounded off with a reunion buffet at Redberth Lodge.

Anyone who would like further information about any of the events or tickets for the reunion buffet is asked to contact the school on 01646 651471.