Sheldon School Prom (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Sheldon School Prom

6:00pm Wednesday 16th May 2012 in News

Students at Sheldon School, Chippenham, really pushed the boat out as they vied with each other to make the most spectacular entrance to their Year 11 prom.

The arrival of the 270 pupils to the party venue at Grittleton House was a sight to behold because among the limousines and Porsches were tractors, a fire engine and a speedboat.

Head of Year 11 Simon Knowles said the glittering evening was a great way for students to say their goodbyes.

“The first hour is probably the most spectacular,” he said.

“Pupils make a massive effort with their method of transport, and we’ve seen it get grander and grander and crazier and crazier as the years go on. This year, we even had a speedboat – it was being towed, of course, but it was a wonderful entrance, with the student arriving on it even wearing a life jacket.

“We also had limos, Hummers, motorbikes, Lam-borghinis and Porsches. It was a pretty impressive first hour.”

Although rain threatened to dampen the proceedings, the weather held off until pupils made it into Grittleton House.

“Because of the forecast, we had our fingers crossed as everyone arrived that it would hold off, but we survived and managed to stay out of the rain,” said Mr Knowles.

“Everyone got in dry – luckily, there was no ruined hair or streaky make-up.

“The students enjoyed a very posh two-course meal, and after that was cleared away, we had a disco, a magician and a casino. It’s much nicer than the prom we had when I was at school, which was held in the school hall.”

The day after the magical evening, students continued the celebration, with a trip ten-pin bowling as part of a leavers’ day.

“We also make a leavers’ book, made up of lots of photographs of the students,” said Mr Knowles.

“It’s a very nice way to end the term.

“Many of the students will go to sixth form at Sheldon, but there are those who will go to other colleges, start work or begin apprenticeships, so it’s the last time they’re all together in their form group ‘families’. “It can be quite an emotional time.”