Building Update -
Have you seen the ironwork going up on the site?!! We’ve watched the old school coming down; we’ve watched the digging of the foundations – now we are really on our way! Provided there are no major catastrophes we hope to be installed this time next year.
The building was one of the oldest in Blackpool, but it was constantly built on and built over, so little of the original school remained and it was not eligible for listed status.
Last summer we held an Open Day inviting former pupils to say a fond farewell to the current school building. And what a day it was! The oldest guest we had attended our school in 1918 and there were former pupils from every decade since then, wandering around and meeting up again with old friends.
The heritage officers were there during demolition with cameras and measuring tapes to record it all for posterity, particularly the section nearest the old headmaster’s house which became the wedding shop and ultimately a classroom.
The builders carefully removed some of the oldest bricks and made them available for us – we have a limited stock of 100 bricks which will be available to buy together with a certificate of authenticity and mounted on a base. These will be available later in the year for purchase at £10 each which includes a donation to the FoSJS fund for the benefit of the pupils. Orders can now be placed with school.
The School is established just down the road next door to the Salvation Army ... and the old building was demolished around Easter time. Although some asbestos was found in the building and work had to be stopped for its removal, the builders have worked hard and timing is back on track, set for completion in the summer of 2009.
A monthly meeting to check progress is held on site - about 16 folk representing the school, the Diocese, the architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and others.
The new building is funded by Government Grant, but while that supplies the bricks and mortar, we have to work together to build the school!
Friends of St. John’s School Update
The fundraising is managed by the “Friends of St. John’s School” spearheaded by the Governing Body; this encompasses St. John’s Church, parents and old pupils, the business community and the wider Christian community in Blackpool town centre.
“a quality education in a quality environment”
Our first £10,000 target goes towards a stained glass window for the front of the school
Recent events - 2007-8
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Grand demolition raffle |
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Reunion dinner |
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School summer concert 2007 |
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School choir and band “Christmas busking” in town raised £123 |
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Fundraising Lunch at St. John’s church in January raised over £120 plus a generous donation of £500 |
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Sale of Gift packs – (a copy of the book “The History of St. John’s School” with souvenir pen and key ring) – at £5 raised £100 |
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A donation from the Yorkshire Bank for £500 |
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private donations of £200, £100, £50 and £10. |
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Hotpot supper and pub quiz with disco in February 2008 |
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St. John's Church Coffee Club events. |
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Summer Celebration Dinner June 7th at Blackpool Masonic Hall |
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Grand summer raffle |
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Achievement of charitable status - we can now claim tax back on donations |
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St. John's Church gift Day (over £4,000 raised, including tax back) |
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Ongoing covenanted donations of over £2,000 per annum) |
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One Voice choir concert in October |
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Sponsored events throughout the summer |
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Carols by Candlelight in December |
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Visit of the Bishop to St. John's Church, 8th February 2009, and lunch |
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Hotpot supper and beetle drive, Thursday 39th February |
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Music for Springtime concert at St. John's Church |
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Dinner and Cabaret night, 6th June at the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street |