Gedling MP Tom Randall this week cut the ribbon to officially open a new £83k kitchen at his former junior school in Arnold.
To celebrate the opening of the new facility at Killisick Junior School, pupils enjoyed a specially chosen menu for a week.
The funding for the project came from the school’s multi-academy trust, The Flying High Partnership and in all, renovations cost of £83,000.
MP Randall said “It’s always great to come back to my old junior school and I am grateful for the invitation to return.
“I have lots of happy memories here, although every time I come back its always slightly smaller than I remember!
“It’s great that The Flying High Partnership, the school’s multi-academy trust has invested the funding to build the new kitchen and I am looking forward to chatting to kitchen staff in what is now a flexible and modernised space.
“I am sure the new kitchens will serve the children of Killisick well for many generations to come. Of course, making sure that children receive the nutrition and a healthy hot meal they need to thrive is of paramount importance; it assists in their education and wellbeing. It’s lovely to see the changes taking place and I can see how popular it is after speaking to children today, -they are so excited at the news and what is going on at the school.”
Joining guests at the opening were pupils from Killisick’s School Parliament and chair of Governors, Mrs Rachel Makey.
Pupil Matilda Handy, Year 6, said she was excited to see the new kitchen. “I think the new kitchen will make everything so much nicer for everybody at the school. Children need to eat well to be healthy and to be able to concentrate. The people who work in the kitchen will also be happy as it looks really nice to work in.”
Matilda, who has become well known in the local area was recently awarded a British Citizen Youth Award for her creation of the ‘Letters to heaven’ post-boxes. She collected her award from the Palace of Westminster in October in recognition of her kind idea, which encourages people to post notes, or write down their thoughts about loved ones they miss. The white ‘Letters to heaven’ post-boxes, can be found at various locations including one at Gedling Crematorium.
Richard Jones is the new Headteacher at the school
He said: “Our former kitchen was in need of a total revamp, and we are delighted that through funding by the Flying High Partnership we now have a fantastic kitchen to cater for the children in our school community.
“Whilst our kitchen staff have always produced fantastic meals, we are delighted that they now have new facilities to support them in their valuable work, both now and for future generations of children of Killisick Junior School.”
Jill Mitchell is a catering assistant at the school, and she said the catering team where thrilled with the new facilities.
She said: “We are delighted with the new kitchen, particularly our new dishwasher which replaced our sterilising station. Hopefully this will make things a lot easier for us.
“The new kitchen is so bright, it has a non-slip floor, a new pantry and equipment and everything in it is easily cleaned. We think it is going to make a huge difference to the school.”
