Prince Philip opens county's first state Jewish primary school

A WARM welcome was extended to the Duke of Edinburgh from Hertsmere's Jewish community at the official opening of Hertfordshire's first state Jewish primary school on Monday.

The Joy and Stanley Cohen Hertsmere Jewish Primary School in Watling Street, Radlett, which cost £3 million to build, was officially opened by Prince Philip, who unveiled a commemorative plaque in the school's main hall.

Joined by The Chief Rabbi, Professor Jonathan Sacks, Prince Philip, who had already enjoyed a tour of the school, was entertained by singing from the school's choir of four, five and six year olds, before addressing assembled guests.

Adding his congratulations, Prince Philip thanked the children for their rousing performance, who, revelling in the excitement of the occasion, appeared enthusiastic to be back in school despite it being the first day of their summer holiday.

Prince Philip, empathising with parents at the beginning of the six week break, said: 'Holidays are curious things, aren't they? You send children to school to get them out of your hair. Then they come back for holidays and make life difficult for parents. That is why holidays are set so they are just about the limit of your endurance.'

However, after congratulating the community on its 'tremendous achievement', he said: 'I cannot declare this school open because it evidently already is.'

Instead, comparing the school to shops which had had their windows blown out during the blitz. He declared the school 'more open than usual'.

Chief Rabbi Sacks the leader of the Jewish community throughout the United Kingdom, described the school as a 'magnificent achievement', and went on to thank Mr Stanley Cohen and his wife Joy for donating the land upon which the school was built.

Their contribution, along with £2 million raised by the Jewish community in Hertsmere and a grant of £1 million from the Government funded the project.

Established in 1998 at Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue with just one class, the school moved to its new home in September last year where it began with two reception classes and the existing, now year one, pupils. In January the school admitted nursery pupils, bringing the number of children on site to 133.

Over the next six years, the school will continue to expand and fulfil its capacity of 470 children until it has pupils in all year groups one to six.

Headteacher Mrs Michle Bazak said: 'It has been the most exciting year of my professional life. It has been invigorating and the children have exceeded our every expectation.'

wfielder@london.newsquest.co.uk

The Duke of Edinburgh was greeted by pupils of the Joy and Stanley Cohen Hertsmere Jewish Primary School in Radlett on Monday at its official opening.