Next year our school celebrates a very special anniversary. In July 2020 it will be 150 years since the first half-timer pupil was enrolled into what later became Castle Gardens.
George Walker was the owner-manager of a flax spinning mill in Newtownards, in which was employed between 300 and 400 people. The population of the town was around 11,000. In April 1870 he commenced to employ children in the half- time system, and so the first Castle Gardens School was opened for these half-timers, as they were called. The first pupil to enrol was John Carlisle on 1st July 1870.
To mark this milestone there will be lots of different events going on throughout 2020 with the first one being a competition for our pupils to design a new school badge.
This new badge, which may be amended slightly to allow for manufacturing purposes will be introduced on our uniform in time for the new school year and included in the prizes will be a new sweatshirt and polo shirt.
Keep an eye out for entry forms that should have been sent home with the children today and pupils can enter as many times as they wish.
The closing date will be 12pm on Friday 5th April with the Governors selecting the winning design on Monday 8th April.
Below are some of the previous versions of our school badge and if you have any other versions please feel free to share with us via email or social media.
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