The opening of Fishguard's new Infants School

A new Infants School was opened in September 1974, and received press coverage in The County Echo (September 12th)

Here are a few extracts and photographs from the newspaper article-

Fishguard Infants School opened for the Autumn Term last week in its new, purpose built building at Brodog Lane. In time of increasing economic stringency, Fishguard is most fortunate that such a well-planned and erected, indeed, it can almost be said that the decision to go ahead was made just before the economic brakes were put on.

The building is a fine one, basically conceived on the open plan system. The large, central circulating area of the building allows the more boisterous or elaborate types of game, as well as larger group activities. The teaching is arranged around particular themes. One of the ideas which is to be used this term is the apple idea. Apples grow on trees, they have to be counted, weighed, sold, cooked etc. The possibilities of devising learning schemes to teach is practically limitless.

The school has a miniature ,informal library. In addition, the children are regularly taken up to the Fishguard Library, if only to show them how such a place works, and the sort of things one finds in a library.

Music has its place in the school activities, since the school has a quiet room where music can be listened to. Whether the children necessarily get anything out of Beethoven or Bach is not so important, as the fact that certain reference standards are being absorbed by the children for future use.

In many respects, Fishguard School is a new village school. Its catchment area is restricted to Fishguard, which means that it is unlikely to exceed its pupil quota of 120. It is small enough to involve parents who voluntarily come to the school. It is a neat enough unit to be involved in the Schools Council Bilingual Project.

The school has been adequately equipped with audio-visual aids, including a television, radio, projector and tape recorder.

The headmistress of Fishguard Infants School is Mrs Dorothy Rees. The teaching staff include Miss Penny Lewis, Mrs Leslie Phillips, Miss Rosina Vittle, Mrs K Mathias and Mrs Managhan. The kitchen staff include Miss Eleri Griffiths,Mrs Rees, Mrs Harries and Mrs Davies.

Were you a pupil at Fishguard Infants School at this time ? Please share your memories with us.