Two long-running schools in Surulere, Lagos, Sunnyfields Primary School and Tenderfoot Day Nursery, have marked their 60th Diamond Jubilee under the theme Educating Future Leaders Since 1965. The celebration brought together current students, staff, alumni, parents and members of the Board of Trustees on the Surulere campus.
The milestone drew generations back to where it all began, with alumni, parents and students returning home for the occasion. Fun games lightened the atmosphere as six decades of memories came full circle on the school grounds.
Tenderfoot Day Nursery was founded in December 1965 and Sunnyfields Primary School in April 1966 by the late educationist Chief Mrs. Olabisi Solaru. What started as a playgroup of just six children in her living room has since grown into a respected institution.
Over the years, the schools have shaped more than a thousand alumni across a wide range of fields. Today the institution is led by the founder's daughter, Dr. Tunde Ekpe, who chairs the Board of Trustees, supported by her siblings.
The schools enroll children from the age of 30 months to 11 years and are accredited by the Lagos State Ministry of Education. They run a mixed curriculum alongside activities meant to spark curiosity, including scouts, guides, ballet classes, local languages, robotics, chess and taekwondo.
Reflecting on the journey, the founder's daughter recalled that when the school started six decades ago her mother was only in her early 30s and had no idea it would endure so long. She said her mother simply wanted the children around her in Surulere to have an excellent education at an affordable price, and the heartwarming day was sealed with the cutting of the cake.