Stoke Newington primary school celebrates its 40th anniversary

Simon Marks Jewish Primary School celebrated its 40th anniversary last Wednesday [June 5] with an unveiling of the school’s new Aron Kodesh – the holy arc containing the Torah scrolls.

Children at the Simon Marks Jewish Primary School performing at its 40th anniversary. - Credit: Archant

All children from nursery to year six performed various acts in front of an audience of local dignitaries, former pupils and parents at the Stoke Newington school.

Performances included traditional Israeli dances, songs, sketches, poems, the nursery sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and one class performed a specially-written rap.

Headteacher Gill Ross said the event was a special celebration and an important landmark in the school’s continuing development in the local community.

“This event is a milestone for Simon Marks, which goes from strength to strength and whose combination of outstanding secular studies and an inclusive, modern Orthodox ethos is attracting families in record numbers.”

Among those in the audience was founding headteacher and former Hackney Council leader Rose Stftel-Lipman and former pupil Lord Glasman of Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill who delivered the keynote address.