Warwick Academy is gearing up to celebrate the thousands of pupils who have passed through its doors since it was first founded in 1662.The school will be celebrating its 350th anniversary next year and the entire community is invited to join in with the year-long party.Warwick Academy on Middle Road prides itself on its history as it is considered to be one of the oldest continually operating schools in the Western Hemisphere.Plans are already well under way for the year-long series of events and activities throughout 2012 to celebrate the school’s past and look to its future.The 350th anniversary celebrations kick off with an opening ceremony on Wednesday, January 18 and the search is now on to find the school’s oldest former pupil to be the guest of honour.All alumni, parents and friends will be invited, but the school especially wants to hear from former pupils who are now aged in their 90s.Warwick Academy began life in 1662 in a building donated by the Earls of Warwick and Richard Norwood was the first principal.By November 1663 the school had grown to two rooms made of stone measuring just 14 feet by 16 feet.Fast forward 350 years and that building now forms part of the school’s current library on a sprawling campus, which has separate primary and secondary schools, plus a gym and swimming pool.Today the school has more than 770 students ranging from ages five to 18 and the principal is Maggie McCorkell.Jane Vickers, who is Warwick Academy’s director of development, said: “Unfortunately comparatively little is known of the school’s early history as the historical records, along with those of the Warwick Parish Vestry, were lost at sea in 1929.“Mr James Firth, who had possession of the records, was the purser of the vessel Fort Victoria that was rammed and sunk off New York harbour when the ship was making a regular run to Bermuda.“But we have little doubt that next year is our 350th anniversary and there is a whole year of events and activities planned to celebrate this historic date.“The entire year is mapped out so we want people to start saving the dates.”The anniversary year will feature monthly events including a Jazz Gala Dinner on February 4 with performances from Warwick’s very own jazz band and a special guest.On Good Friday the school will host an Alumni and family kite-flying party and there will also be a quiz night, a cocktail party and a golf tournament.On June 27 there will be a “wear your blue day” where everyone in Bermuda with any association to Warwick Academy is asked to wear the colour blue.An art show and auction will be held at The ACE Gallery on September 28 featuring more than 15 alumni artists and friends of the school, such as Graham Foster.And in early November the celebrations will continue with a Gala Weekend including Alumni sports events and a formal dinner at the Fairmont Southampton Resort.For a sneak preview of the school’s 350 memorabilia, you can head to the Warwick Academy indoor Christmas Fair from 10am to 4pm tomorrow. Everything from sterling silver Christmas ornaments in the shape of the school’s crest to rubber wrist bracelets and T-shirts will be on sale.The school is also appealing for old photos, school books and any other memorabilia, which can be put on display during the celebrations.Mrs Vickers said: “Please help us find our oldest alumnus or alumna, talk to your relatives, dig through your old boxes and come out and support Warwick Academy as it enters into its 350th year.”For further information or if you think you may be or know the oldest former student, e-mail Mrs Vickers at jvickers[AT]warwickacad.bmUseful website: www.warwickacad.bm