October 2nd 2001

In the words of our Chair of Governors - our "At last" day!

Hartley and Nick arrive right on time - notice the school's Hartley's there too - wearing the hat.

Nick told the children how much he and Hartley had waited for this day and that it was wonderful to meet all of his friends at last.

The audience listen attentively as Nick comments on the beautiful new school and state of the art facilities.

He applauds the hard work by teachers and governors and urges them to do even better.

Nick said that amongst the many in the school that day were tomorrow's Doctors, Nurses, Teachers and Members of Parliament, he challenged the children to work harder than ever.

Then it was time "at last" to formally open our new school....

And in doing so, Nick stepped back to admire the brass plaque that would forever be a reminder of today.

The words on the plaque reads

The children cheered and clapped their hands with delight

Nick was then presented with a gift from the children, it was a compass in a wooden box, but it too had a brass plaque which read "To help you find your way back to your friends in Grange Primary School, October 2001"

If Nick thought the surprises ended there he was wrong!

He was also presented with a water-colour of a local scene that he had visited over the previous days - Whitby - and the home port of another sailor, Captain James Cook

Then it was time to meet everyone, Nick started with our Chair of Governors, Mrs. Leak.

But there were other people there who wanted to meet him too...

Here's Nick saying "Hello" to (left to right)

Mr. Brian Dinsdale, Chief Executive, Jeremy Fitt, Director of Education and Brian Littlefair Chair of the Education and Childcare Board

Of course, the real VIP's were the children, here's Nick and Hartley with seven happy faces.

These two children are just a little shy....

But not these children!! Both Nick and his wife Jenny are swamped with children wanting autographs!

And when it came time to view the new school, Jenny had her own 'guard of honour'

Jenny found another friend in Councillor Bob Flintoff, Deputy Chair of Governors and Deputy Mayor of Hartlepool, here they're seen at the foot of one of our flagpoles (the other was flying the Stars and Stripes for that week)

Nick and Jeremy Fitt, Director of Education, who's a 'part time' sailor himself!

Councillors Bob Flintoff (right) and Brian Littlefair on their tour of the school - with two happy tour guides.

Here, our VIP's view the new facilities offered by our nursery.