Elmer Armstrong welcomed a crowd of former pupils to Ipswich School recently – celebrating over 50 years since they left the School.

The popular elephant, which is part of Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk art trail in aid of St Elizabeth hospice, is named after Neil Armstrong and the moon landings in 1969.

Ipswich School and the Old Ipswichian Club welcomed back some former pupils who left the School over 50 years ago to attend the Old Ipswichians Summer Lunch. Eighty two former pupils, their families and other guests came together to eat, drink and remember their time at Ipswich School.

Pupils who left the School before 1969 were invited to attend, and during the afternoon some of the OIs took the opportunity to tour the School premises, which have changed a great deal since their school days. The Blatchly Laboratories (named after the late Dr John Blatchly, a former Headmaster), Mermagen Sports Centre and the new building housing the Britten Faculty of Music on the site of the former netball courts were all new elements of the school that the visitors were keen to see.    

The afternoon was enjoyed by all, due to the delicious food and the opportunity to reminisce and catch up with old friends. A popular visit that many of the guests made was to their former form rooms, which current pupils, parents and staff were surprised to learn were situated in the current school gym. As well as this, some of the Old Ipswichians spent the remainder of their visit watching the U15 cricket team playing against The Perse School on the school field.  

Sally Webber, Chairman of the Old Ipswichian Club said: “It was lovely to see so many former pupils and their guests coming together to celebrate the time that they spent at Ipswich School by recounting stories with fond anecdotes.”