They are happy, smiling faces of 1960s pupils having fun while enjoying a great education.

And yet while the world around this Ipswich school has transformed almost beyond recognition, the look of this classroom has barely changed 50 years on.

The historic picture was released as part of Dale Hall Community Primary School’s 50th anniversary celebrations, which were held at the school on Monday.

Former students from the school’s illustrious history joined its current 405 pupils for a special family picnic to celebrate the occasion and the mark the school has left on the community, with two birthday cakes baked by parents.

Retired teaching assistant and ex-pupil Andrea Rumsby raised a new school flag to mark the landmark anniversary, with a helping hand from 11-year-old Joe Fortnam-Adams and five-year-old Flynn Taylor - the oldest and youngest pupils at the school.

Ipswich Star: Pupils, parents and teachers come together to celebrate Dale Hall Commnity Primary School's 50th birthday. Picture: JAKE FOXFORDPupils, parents and teachers come together to celebrate Dale Hall Commnity Primary School's 50th birthday. Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

“I came here, my children came here, my nieces came here and if I gave any grandchildren I would love for them to come here,” said Mrs Rumsby.

When the school opened in 1968, it was traditional on a student’s birthday that they would raise the school flag - but as she was born in the summer holidays, Mrs Rumsby said she never had her chance to hoist the school colours.

The tradition had since been forgotten but, as a thank you for her seven years of service to the school and to honour the 50th birthday of Dale Hall, it was revived by chairman of governors Angela Gage to give her colleague a proper send-off.

Mrs Gage thanked parents, staff and students for making the anniversary so special and sharing their memories from the last 50 years.

Ipswich Star: Zacharias Goyfer (l) and Harley J Eldred-Wyatt (r) dressed as T-Birds for the day Picture: JAKE FOXFORDZacharias Goyfer (l) and Harley J Eldred-Wyatt (r) dressed as T-Birds for the day Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

“You can pick anybody here at random and they’ll have connection to the school,” said Mrs Gage.

“It’s a real community school and it’s lovely to share the stories of the past - and make some new memories today.”

Classes at the school got into the spirit of the occasion by dressing up in the iconic clothes of the decades.

Mrs Cattermole’s year-one class, the Sea Turtles, even recreated a picture taken from the grand opening of the school 50 years ago.

Ipswich Star: Pupils, parents and teachers celebrate at Dale Hall Commnity Primary Picture: JAKE FOXFORDPupils, parents and teachers celebrate at Dale Hall Commnity Primary Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

Dale Hall Community Primary School was officially opened on Tuesday, July 16 1968 by Sir John Newsom CBE.

Ipswich Star: Pupils, parents and teachers come together to celebrate Dale Hall Commnity Primary School's 50th birthday. Picture: JAKE FOXFORDPupils, parents and teachers come together to celebrate Dale Hall Commnity Primary School's 50th birthday. Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Teaching Assistant Andrea Rumsby and students Joe Fortnam-Adams (l) and Flynn Taylor (r) hoisted the new Dale Hall Community Primary flag together Picture: JAKE FOXFORDTeaching Assistant Andrea Rumsby and students Joe Fortnam-Adams (l) and Flynn Taylor (r) hoisted the new Dale Hall Community Primary flag together Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Pupils, parents and teachers come together to celebrate Dale Hall Commnity Primary School's 50th birthday. Picture: JAKE FOXFORDPupils, parents and teachers come together to celebrate Dale Hall Commnity Primary School's 50th birthday. Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Pupils, parents and teachers come together to celebrate Dale Hall Commnity Primary School's 50th birthday. Picture: JAKE FOXFORDPupils, parents and teachers come together to celebrate Dale Hall Commnity Primary School's 50th birthday. Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)