As the autumn term ended, the St Francis community enjoyed a festive treat with a very special Panto from the Past – based on the school’s seventy-five year history. It was performed by pupils in Years Three to Eight.
It also featured guest performances from St Francis’ staff – including headmaster David Sibson in the role of pantomime Dame.
The panto was written by St Francis’ Head of Drama, Emma Gregson Burt to celebrate the 75th anniversary. St Francis was founded in Pewsey in September 1941, by Miss Phyllis Burden – with just four pupils.
The panto’s plot centred around a time travel machine in which children visited decades in the school’s history and key local events, such as King George & Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Marlborough in 1948.
Festive songs from each decade provided a musical backdrop – White Christmas was released in 1942 and this was the panto’s opening number.
Headmaster David Sibson said: “Panto From The Past was enormous fun and a wonderful way for the St Francis community to celebrate both Christmas and the school’s 75th anniversary year.”
“Our founder Miss Burden kept incredibly detailed diaries and so we are very fortunate to know a great deal about the school’s development as well as how key historical events affected the school and its pupils.”
St Francis continues to celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary year with more performances, events and installations throughout the academic year. Details
are on the school website.
[Click on photos to enlarge them]
Ownership of Savernake Hospital to change again – what will this mean for its future?
