Pupils at Oakvale yesterday waved goodbye to their school which was opened over 15 years ago. They will, however, be looking forward to moving into Le Murier in St Sampson’s. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0604631)

JUST over 15 years after it opened, Oakvale School has marked its closure. Its schoolchildren are due to move into Le Murier at Les Nicolles in September and yesterday they held a celebration before it shuts today.

‘This is celebrating the end of Oakvale,’ said head teacher Alan Brown. ‘We did this as an open house and invited parents, students, ex staff and former pupils and people who supported the school. They’ve all come together to meet up before it closes tomorrow.’

To mark the occasion, the school held a barbecue with music provided by the school choir. There was also a demonstration from the pupils who took part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme a few weeks previously and a celebration book was opened for those attending to sign. The pupils also buried a time capsule, which will be opened again in 15 years.

Oakvale was opened on the 28 May 1993 by Lady Wilkins, wife of the Lt-Governor at that time. Originally, it was designed as a school for children with learning difficulties. It had 80 pupils aged seven to 16. It has since become a secondary school for those with a wide range of needs.