PUPILS and staff at Ipswich High School for girls took a look back through history to celebrate the schools 125th anniversary.The school opened in 1878 at the Assembly Rooms in Northgate Street, Ipswich, with 43 pupils.

PUPILS and staff at Ipswich High School for girls took a look back through history to celebrate the schools 125th anniversary.

The school opened in 1878 at the Assembly Rooms in Northgate Street, Ipswich, with 43 pupils. It moved to Westerfield Road in 1907 then to Woolverstone Hall 1992.

Jane Pomeroy, head of the juniors' part of the school, said: "It was a fantastic event and everyone put in lots of effort to look wonderful. The whole of the school celebrated.

"It's important that the girls know the history of the school and they had been looking forward to the celebrations with excitement."

Each year picked a different decade throughout the school's history and dressed in the fashion of the time. The juniors had a special assembly that started with the sounds of the Glen Miller Band from the 1940's and ended with Abba's hit Dancing Queen from the 1970's.

Pupils from each year gave a talk about the famous events and music from their decade and stood up to display their costumes in front of the whole junior school.

Ex-head girl Alicia Milner-Smith, who attended the school the school from 1926-1935, wrote a speech about her time there which was read out during the assembly.

The 86-year-old said: "I am honoured to be invited back to join in the day. I have very fond memories of my time at the school and made many friends that will last a lifetime. The uniforms have certainly changed since I was here."

N Do you have a story to tell from the school's history? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk