CHILDREN at Dewstow Primary School celebrated its official opening yesterday morning by letting off 250 balloons and performing songs.

The school, in Caldicot, has been open to pupils since last year, but has now been officially declared open.

All the pupils in school attended the ceremony and were given a biodegradeable, royal blue helium balloon to let off after a countdown.

Gillian Bray, headteacher, said: “It was quite spectacular.

One of the children said it was like bubbles in blue lemonade.

“They were really excited. They had a lovely day.”

The ceremony took place in the school hall, moving outside to the field for children to let off their balloons.

Monmouthshire county councillors Peter Fox and Liz Hackett Pain attended the ceremony.

Chairman of the council David Dovey officially declared the school open, unveiling a plaque with the help of two year 6 pupils.

Kath Wilson, chairwoman of the governors was also at the ceremony, along with representatives from Willmott Dixon construction company which helped build the school, and residents from nearby Cherry Tree nursing home.

Pupils sang for the guests, with nursery and reception pupils performing The Ugly Bug Ball, Years One and Two singing ‘Sing’ by Gary Barlow, Years Three and Four singing ‘Hall of Fame’ and Years Five and Six singing ‘Poptastic’.

The ceremony was followed by a picnic and refreshments.