Staines Prep Strikes and Scores as Premiership Footballer Opens New £3 Million Building
24 Oct 2013
England International footballer and former Staines Prep pupil Steven Caulker is set to ‘kick off’ celebrations at Staines Prep by formally unveiling its new £3 million building.
The much anticipated Grand Opening Ceremony of the *Founders Building on the Gresham Road site will be attended by the whole school, including staff, governors and associated dignitaries, as well as the 21-year-old Cardiff City and England defender who attended the school between 1999 – 2003.
Steven Caulker said: “It’s a great honour to come back to Staines Prep and be asked to open the new FoundersBuilding. I have many fond memories of the school and with great facilities like these; I am sure its going to help build dreams in all areas of study for generations of children to come. I’m also looking forward to a bit of a kick-about back where it all began.”
The event will showcase the impressive flexibility and state-of-the-art design of the development, which only took 15 months for architects and construction teams to complete.
The new full-size, bespoke multi-function hall, which incorporates an acoustic removable divider and tiered retractable seating, along with contemporary changing facilities, will be put to the test throughout the afternoon. The space will be filled with the entire school during the formal ceremony, lead by Headmaster Mr Peter Roberts and then turned into a fully functioning sports hall, as the Premiership star puts the children’s footballing skills to the test – first with a fun penalty shoot-out, then with a series of mini training sessions.
As part of the new facilities, pupils also benefit from specialist science, art, design and technology and music suites and five larger ‘ordinary’ classrooms.
Headmaster, Peter Roberts said: “We are thrilled that Steven has come back to champion the new building and share his sporting talent with our children. I am sure that it will be a very inspirational and fun day!
He continued “We have so much to offer and want to ensure the facilities can be enjoyed not only by the pupils, who will have so many more opportunities to learn in many different areas, but by the whole community. Providing a quality venue for sporting events and performing arts will help to strengthen our links with the local community, which is a key objective for the school.”
An Open Day is planned for later in the year, which will give the public an opportunity to see the many changes and potential use for their own conferences and events.
Photograph shows: The new FoundersBuilding at StainesPrep School.
The FoundersBuilding is named in dedication of Mr Cyril Burges and his wife Mrs Betty Burges who founded the school in 1935.