Bishop of Chester opened hall at Whitegate C of E Primary School

The hall at Whitegate Church of England Primary School was officially opened by the Right Reverend Dr Peter Forster, the Bishop of Chester.

“It was lovely to see the fruition of our dreams finally being opened,” said head teacher Ian Percival, who is retiring at the end of the summer term after more than 22 years at the school.

“I would like to thank all the people and organisations who have honoured their pledges, the Friends of Whitegate School for organising a host of fundraising events, and the children, who have also raised money.

“More than £50,000 was raised by the school and the local community, which is a fantastic effort.

“The Bishop told deputy head teacher Carol Delf how well he felt the children had behaved. He said he goes into many schools, and that the behaviour and singing was exceptional.”

The Bishop officially opening and dedicated the hall, and the service was very well attended by parents, grandparents and many people from the village, along with Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans.

Caroline Mackenzie, who is currently assistant head teacher at Rode Heath Primary School, is to become the school’s new head teacher from September.

“The governors were looking for a head teacher to build on our school’s many strengths and bring innovative ideas for the future,” said Teresa Finney, the chairman of governors, in a letter to parents at the end of March.

“In Mrs Mackenzie we believe we have found such a head teacher.”

Mrs Mackenzie said at the time: “I am looking forward to working in partnership with the governing body, the whole of the school and the village community.”

The Friends of Whitegate School raises between £6,000 and £8,000 each year. Money raised by the association has helped buy computer equipment, sports equipment and tools and seeds for the Gardening Club.

The cost of coach hire to the pantomime is paid for by the group, and a substantial sum has been raised towards the building and equipping of the new hall.