IT was back to school for one former pupil when she answered a social media alert for help to mark a major birthday.
The call came from Woodrow First School and the occasion was its 50th birthday celebrations.
And Jamila Kabir, a graduate in Fine Arts and now based in London, was only too happy to help.
“My sister spotted a call out for an artist from the school,” said Jamila, aged 26.
“Her little daughter, my niece, now attends Woodrow Infants and my family still live on Woodrow.
“I must say it was surreal going back, seeing the hall and the classrooms and just having all those memories flooding back.
“Some of my old teachers were still there too, including my favourite Miss Newman, now Mrs Hardisty, Rebecca, and I tell you that woman does not age!
“She looks exactly the same, and I have very fond memories of holding on to her on my last day and not wanting to leave.”
Now specialising in sculptural installations, Jamila, who’s also a content creator and freelance, put together an idea with the school to create a metal framed pentagonal prism marking each decade of the school’s existence.
“I worked with 50 students, ten from each year group and each has painted acrylic sheets to make a stained glass feature to go on the prism,” she said.
“It will also be solar powered to illuminate the stain glass artwork.
“It’s been incredible working with the students – and wonderful to be part of this project. It has been inspirational.”
Headteacher at Woodrow First School Richard Kieran said: “It’s going to be lovely.
“It’s going to be outside, in full view of our parents walking to school.
“Jamila has been wonderful as has the entire Woodrow family. It will be spectacular.”
For more on Jamila’s artwork, visit: jamilakabir.co.uk
