Pupils dress up for centenary celebration

A HENLEY school celebrated its centenary with a party.

Rupert House School in Bell Street invited pupils and staff to wear costumes from the last century.

Four children won prizes for their outfits — Claudia Fennell, who was dressed as Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, Freya Hodgkins (aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart), George Warner (Sir Steve Redgrave) and Benjamin Darvil (David Bowie).

An actor from Past Productions in Henley dressed as Prince Rupert of the Rhine to tell the story of how the school got its name in the 1900s.

Everyone enjoyed a barbecue lunch followed by a May fayre on the school playing field. The party was one of a series of celebration events to be held at the independent school this year.

Headteacher Nick Armitage, who joined the school four years ago, said: “We were really keen for the children to have the opportunity to celebrate the history of the school.

“Everyone got into the spirit and threw themselves into the activities. The children loved dancing around the Maypole.

“It is important that we bring history to life and the children understand the importance of events like the First World War and the difference people have made to stand up to injustice.”