Comber Primary School celebrates its 70th anniversary in September 2008. The "Look Back and Learn" project was planned to mark this very special occasion.

It was our intention that "Look Back and Learn" should benefit not only Comber Primary pupils, but also pupils from other schools in the local area and beyond, as well as members of youth organisations and the wider community.

There were 3 parts to the project:-

• Part 1: Comber History Trail
• Part 2: History Zone
• Part 3: "Comber Primary - The Special Years" DVD

Comber History Trail - Many years ago former Comber Primary headmaster and keen historian, Norman Nevin, produced "Comber Market Town - a History Trail" to be used by pupils. A number of years later the resource was updated by the then History Coordinator. However, Comber has dramatically changed in recent years and the history trail was very out of date. The new history trail is now complete and available from the school or Comber Library. It can also be downloaded from the homepage of the school website - www.comberps.newtownards.ni.sch.uk. It encourages children and adults to learn more about their town and celebrate its rich heritage. It's an opportunity for families to spend quality time together.

History Zone - As part of the "Look Back and Learn" project, a History Zone was created on the school website. This consists of various areas e.g. Victorians, Egyptians, WW2, Early Man, and Vikings etc. There is also an area dedicated to local history. The 'Zone' directs children to safe, educational websites and is a rich learning and teaching resource. It can be accessed from school and home.

DVD - A number of old cine films were discovered in the roof space of the school, where they had lain dormant for many years. The films, taken by the late Norman Nevin, span three distinct decades and contain footage of school and town events. This footage has been used to produce the DVD "Comber Primary - the Special Years 1955-1974". To mark our 70th Anniversary a copy of the DVD will be presented to each family.

The "Look Back and Learn" project was funded through Extended Schools and by Awards for All - the result of a successful bid.

(Report by Miss G. Stevenson, ICT/Extended Schools Coordinator)