FROM turning up to school in Victorian costume to practising their handwriting in complete silence, children and staff of Mary Tavy and Brentor Primary School submersed themselves into the lives of people in the 19th century as a way to celebrate the 180th anniversary of the school.

As soon as the children entered the school gates on Wednesday, June 29 they were met with rows of chairs and tables, chalk boards, ink to write with and a Bible.

But it was not only the youngsters who were in character, the teachers had to remain strict and stern and enforce the Victorian laws — especially when it came to the school’s motivation quote which the children learnt verbatim: ‘Good better best, never let it rest, ‘till your good is better, and your better best.’

Other Victorian rules observed saw boys and girls entering the classrooms separately, remaining silent in class and standing to attention when an adult entered the room.

Even cleanliness was adhered to — ‘I turned up grubby (from the mines) and Mrs Carowicz said I had to go to the horse trough to clean it off as cleanliness is next to Godliness,’ laughed Class 4 pupil Will.

The day started with a Bible reading but if a child recited any passage wrong they had to stand in the corner as their counterparts would have done in the 19th century. Then it was on to handwriting with ink, which the children were unfamiliar with — not much fun for the left-handed children who were made to write with their right hand, again as the pupils of the school would have been forced to do in the Victorian era.

Throughout the day, children enjoyed all sorts of activities, including skipping, marbles, Ludo, leap frog, chess, noughts and crosses and took part in crafts, including cross stitch and making peg dolls and lavender bags.

Headteacher Nicky Pratten said: ‘It was a huge success due to the hard work from the staff and the support from the parents and the enthusiasm of the children. It was brilliant to go back in time but we prefer the 21st century.

‘We loved celebrating the 180th anniversary of our happy successful school.’

To celebrate the event, the school was opened to visitors, former pupils and staff and parents of the school.

Around 150 visitors attended, which included West Devon Borough Council Mayor Cllr John Sheldon and Mayoress Maggie and WDBC Cllr James McInnes, who were all shown around the school by Year 5 and 6 pupils who were acting as ambassadors.

At the end of the day a cake was cut by one of the oldest former pupils of the school, Winnie Mudge, 89, and the youngest pupil Camilla.

Guests were able to see old photos from the school, old copies of the Tavistock Times and read about the history of the school.

The excerpt explained: ‘A new national school was built in 1836/7 evidently and the date 1836 is in fact incised on the stone forming the threshold of the gateway to the playground. Billing’s Directory of 1857 states that the school was supported by the Rector, and the owners of the Wheal Friendship mine, and payments of the parents.

‘The building gives the impression of having been extended since it was originally built, perhaps by a classroom, and there is, in fact, another minute of a Vestry meeting, in 1845, recording a resolution “to add an adjoining room to the present schoolroom”.

‘A School Board was formed in 1885 and the managers conveyed the school to the School Board in the same year. As a Board School it became a council school under the LEA after the 1902 Education Act, became a junior and infant school when the senior pupils were removed to Tavistock and since the Education Act of 1944 has been known as a County Primary School.’

In the comments book, visitor Chris Williams wrote: ‘What a fantastic effort made by everyone. The children and staff have worked really hard to recreate the Victorian atmosphere. Some teachers seem to be enjoying the Victorian style of teaching too much! The children will realise how lucky they are these days. Such a lovely school to be in. Well done!’

Former pupil from 1954 to 1961, Pam Coxwell (nee Jeffery), wrote: ‘Lovely to see the children joining in with the celebration.’