PUPILS at St Dogmaels Primary School took part in a series of events to mark the 150th anniversary of the school during the past week.

New commemorative gates have been installed at the school entrance, designed by renowned Welsh sculptor David Petersen, reflecting the history of the school and the surrounding area.

The sculptor is best known for his Mametz Wood Memorial, which commemorates an action of the 38th (Welsh) Division of the British Army during the First Battle of the Somme in 1916.

The memorial is of a large red dragon holding barbed wire, mounted on a stone plinth.

Mr Petersen visited the school and met with both staff and pupils to come up with the design which incorporates seine net fishermen, boatbuilding at the Teifi Netpool, seagulls, the school’s salmon badge, children and a band which represents an arched window at St Dogmaels Abbey.

Pupils on the school council have also put together a new time capsule, mimicking the one which was installed when the school was originally founded back in 1869.

Among the items to go in the time capsule are Queen Victoria commemorative stamps – she was on the throne when the school was originally founded; the book Fi A Joe Allen by Welsh author Mannon Steffan Ros, about the Welsh international footballer who went to Preseli School; money and a stamp from today; a commemorative t-shirt designed by one of the pupils to mark the 150th anniversary; a school concert programme and script; school photograph, wooden cross; a copy of the Tivyside Advertiser for local news and the front page of the ‘I’ newspaper for national news.

The children dressed up for a Victorian morning which gave them a peep into the past and the conditions pupils back then would have experienced. Many of the current children have ancestors who attended the school.

They have also been involved in creating a graffiti mural on the wall outside the school with the help of local artist Lloyd the Graffiti.

There has been a display of pictures from over the years, a parade and a couple of concerts, at which former head teachers returned to take part.