Celebrating 11 Years with Foundation Day and Unity Day

Drapers’ Maylands brought its school community together on Friday 18 September for a very special celebration, combining its annual Foundation Day and Unity Day for the first time.

Having opened its doors in September 2015, the school celebrated 11 years of Maylands, recognising the children, families and staff who have helped shape the school into the thriving community it is today. Foundation Day is an important occasion in the Maylands calendar, celebrating the school's history, its achievements and the people who make it so special.

The celebrations began with a special Foundation Day assembly, led by Principal Mrs Trudy Spillane. Pupils were presented with a range of awards, including cups and trophies established over the years by former governors from the Drapers’ Company to recognise particular achievements and qualities. These included awards for writing, mathematics, effort and curiosity, alongside achievements in Forest School, PE, music and art. The assembly also celebrated the appointment of the school's Head Ambassador, Deputy Head Ambassadors and Prefects.

This year, the school decided to combine Foundation Day with its annual Unity Day, a celebration of the many cultures and traditions represented within the Maylands community.

Families were invited to wear traditional clothing and share food representing their cultures, while music from around the world, selected by families themselves, filled the school grounds. With inflatables, food and plenty of opportunities to come together, the afternoon was a wonderful celebration of everything that makes the Maylands community so special.

A particularly memorable moment was the unveiling of a beautiful new water feature in the school's Quiet Garden, designed to commemorate Maylands’ 10th anniversary. The feature began as a vision of Principal Mrs Trudy Spillane, with Maylands’ Artist in Residence, Mr Leninger Sarkis, spending the past year bringing her ideas to life. Finally unveiled as part of this year's celebrations, it provides a peaceful space for reflection and a lasting addition to the school grounds for generations of Maylands children to enjoy.

One of the most special aspects of the annual celebrations is seeing former pupils return to Maylands to join in the festivities, reconnect with staff and share in the school’s continuing journey.

The afternoon was a wonderful reminder of the strong relationships between the school, its families and the wider community, and a fitting way to celebrate 11 years of Drapers’ Maylands Primary School.