Pupils at a primary school anniversary celebration yesterday received a live history lesson.

And a host of prominent former pupils at the Central School, now Victor Scott School, reminded today's crop of students of the institution's rich heritage.

Former students, teachers, and principals turned out at the school on Glebe Road in Pembroke to joined the current faculty and pupils in celebrating Victor Scott Primary's 65th anniversary.

Among those who took the Victor Scott students on a trip down memory lane were Edna Mae Scott, the 90-year-old widow of the school's former principal the late Victor Scott, former Premier Sir John Swan, Cabinet Secretary Leo Mills and Chief Education Officer Joseph Christopher.

The Pembroke school was built in 1928 and was formally opened in 1931, comprised of four amalgamated schools -- The Till's Hill School, Central School, Silk House School and North Village School.

In 1977, the name for the school was changed to honour Victor F. Scott MBE, a Jamaican head teacher of the Central School from 1934 to 1961.

Mrs. Scott, who is a retired teacher, reminisced about her husband's time at the school and her 18 years as a teacher at the Central School.

Yesterday's ceremony also marked the school's celebration of Education Month and Mrs. Scott said she was humbled by the honour of issuing the proclamation.

Mr. Mills and Sir John stressed to the youngsters that they could grow up to become anything they desired, while Dr. Christopher read a story he wrote as a student about Central School.

Education Permanent Secretary and former Central student Marion Robinson pointed out to the present-day students how classes had changed since she attended the school.

"There were 55 children to a class,'' Dr. Robinson said. "And we sat two to a desk.'' She also reminded those in attendance of the Caribbean connection to Bermuda and the region's contribution to education in the form of Mr. and Mrs. Scott and numerous other principals and teachers.