Ipswich: High school reunion for Westbourne High students

Members of the class of 1983 are invited to a reunion party set to take place at the Fynn Valley Golf Club on Friday, June 9. 

The teenagers that were in the class of 1983 will now be in their mid-50s.  

From the school trips to Wales and Switzerland, to the charity fun run which took place in 1980, to the football team being declared the Suffolk Schools County Champions in 1983, this class surely has much to reminisce about. 

Bobby Robson and Arnold Muhren demonstrate their skills to Westbourne High students shortly before Christmas 1979. Image: Archant archive (Image: Archant archive)

The class of 1983 football team. Image: Ian Ward (Image: Ian Ward)

Former pupil Julie Dyer has been busy trying to reach as many of her former classmates as possible. 

“It’s about meeting up all these years later, finding out how people are and what they’ve been doing with their lives,” she explained. 

A badminton lesson takes place in the sports hall in 1977. Image: Archant archive (Image: Archant archive)

Terry Butcher presents awards to children at Westbourne School in 1983. Image: Archant archive (Image: Archant archive)

Students take part in a sponsored run in 1980. Image: Archant archive (Image: Archant archive)

Some friends will have kept in touch, but for those who have not, this will be a chance for them to come together after decades spent apart. 

Indeed, one former student is so eager to meet her former classmates that she has booked flights from America for the occasion, Ms Dyer said. 

It will also be a chance to remember those who have sadly passed away. 

Reunions have taken place periodically at Westbourne, with similar events taking place in 2003 and 2013. However, Ms Dyer and her fellow organisers are hoping that this will be the biggest reunion event yet. 

If you were one of the class of ‘83 and would like to attend the reunion, email Julie at: dyerj@wmfal.co.uk