A YEAR 9 student from Hayrove School cut the ribbon to open a newly-refurbished teaching centre named after her grandfather.

Samantha Treharne took part in the opening ceremony of the Treharne Centre alongside Sedgemoor District Council chairman Peter Downing.

The eight classrooms have been named after Mal Treharne, Haygrove School’s chairman of governors for many years.

Mr Treharne died in January 2009 but his wife Judy and her family were delighted to hear the school wanted to name the smart new classrooms after her husband to commemorate the contribution he made to school life.

Mrs Treharne said: “Mal always had a very clear vision of the benefit a much-needed new Haygrove School would bring to Bridgwater – a vision still relevant today.

“He would have been extremely pleased to have seen the modernisation of these classrooms, achieved through the school’s determination and hard work.”

School governors, staff and students joined the Treharne family to celebrate the naming of the Treharne Centre, home to the school’s English and maths departments.

The school’s portable cabin music classrooms will also be replaced this summer by a new music teaching centre including classrooms, practice rooms and a performance centre.

Head teacher Karen Canham said: “It is a great pleasure to be able to remember those who have made a difference to the school in the past as we forge ahead into an exciting future.”