Ninety years on from Heron Bay School’s humble beginnings in a three-room dwelling, the Southampton primary is forging new ties with its neighbours while celebrating its anniversary.

“What we’ve been trying to do with our alumni is bring the community closer to the school,” said Lisa Swan, the new principal who has canvassed the area with the help of volunteers, bringing in 20 community partners.

Heron Bay’s anniversary is being marked tomorrow with a walk-a-thon heading out from its gates on Middle Road. Staff from the nearby Riddell’s Bay Golf Club recently addressed a school assembly on golf, and the club has offered free classes to students, while December 9 has been set aside as entrepreneur day for area businesses to show students how their jobs are done.

Children are learning about upholstery, Ms Swan said, while Scoops Ice Cream shows youngsters how their product is made, Sousa’s Landscape Management teaches the arts of gardening, and Raynor’s gas station gives a lesson on fixing tyres.

“We’re really proud of how the community has rallied around our school,” Ms Swan said.

“With the exception of December, every month until May we are planning to have something scheduled for our alumni.

“We’re hoping to raise funds that we can use around the school, and we have speakers coming in to talk to the children, such as Michael Frith, who will talk about ‘Fraggle Rock’ and how it got started.” Ms Swan, who started as principal last month, joined a school that was first known as Southampton East School, operating out of what was originally a private home.

It also began as a private school with just 34 students until 1925, when the Bermuda Government took it over.

Often more than one class had to be taught in the same room.

The school was built on its present site in 1953, although the old dwelling remained in use. It was demolished in 1967.

To mark its history and the support of the community that helped Heron Bay grow, students, alumni and the public are invited to join tomorrow’s walk, which will set off at 3pm.