Children across the region are returning to school this week after the summer holidays or face their first ever day in a classroom as they make new friends.

Eastern Daily Press: CHILDREN GT YARMOUTH SECONDARY SCHOOL BOYS CLUB DATED 1969 PRINT C3883CHILDREN GT YARMOUTH SECONDARY SCHOOL BOYS CLUB DATED 1969 PRINT C3883

And as these photos from previous decades show children in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston made the most of their school days by taking part in all manner of lessons and activities, from boys peeling spuds to children getting up close to a hovercraft.

Eastern Daily Press: Betina Wright gets to know the hovercraft she may eventually pilot, dated around 1980. Photo: Archant LibraryBetina Wright gets to know the hovercraft she may eventually pilot, dated around 1980. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Sport was also a major factor in school life, with pupils competitively battling out it in hockey and football matches.

Eastern Daily Press: Design is just one of the many as[ects of the three-year Fashion Buyers Course at the Great Yarmouth College of Art where Michael Friends of Gorleston is in his second year, dated May 1965. Photo: Archant LibraryDesign is just one of the many as[ects of the three-year Fashion Buyers Course at the Great Yarmouth College of Art where Michael Friends of Gorleston is in his second year, dated May 1965. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Youngsters also tried out hoops in PE lessons in the school hall and many will still have fond memories of gymnastics and vaulting the pommel horse.

Eastern Daily Press: Full-time shorthand-typist students using auto-typing and shorthand training equipment at the Yarmouth College of Further Education Commerce Dept. Wearing earphones, the pupils carrying out tests dictated to them through a tape-recorder device which is operated bu their instructress, Mrs J. Aliffe. Photo: Archant LibraryFull-time shorthand-typist students using auto-typing and shorthand training equipment at the Yarmouth College of Further Education Commerce Dept. Wearing earphones, the pupils carrying out tests dictated to them through a tape-recorder device which is operated bu their instructress, Mrs J. Aliffe. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

And the slightly older section of the town's population also took to the classroom at college but in a more serious fashion as they prepared for employment, such as engineering and secretarial work

Eastern Daily Press: In a Physics Laboratory, students are investigating the optical activity of a sugar solution at Great Yarmouth College of Further Educatiom, dated 16th March 1967. Photo: Archant LibraryIn a Physics Laboratory, students are investigating the optical activity of a sugar solution at Great Yarmouth College of Further Educatiom, dated 16th March 1967. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: In the Engineering Department at the Great Yarmouth College of Further Education, students receive instruction Milling. In charge of this deparment is Mr D.J.Burrell (left), dated 16th March 1967. Photo: Archant LibraryIn the Engineering Department at the Great Yarmouth College of Further Education, students receive instruction Milling. In charge of this deparment is Mr D.J.Burrell (left), dated 16th March 1967. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: Yarmouth - Magdalen College Estate - Gorleston school children pic taken 1960s ? c12961Yarmouth - Magdalen College Estate - Gorleston school children pic taken 1960s ? c12961