It is a school that gave shelter in the devastating Belfast Blitz during World War Two.

And Euston Street Primary School in inner east Belfast is now celebrating its 100th birthday.

It was officially opened in July 1926, just in time to admit pupils for the new school term.

And a century on, the school has opened its doors and classrooms to welcome back many former pupils to celebrate the big birthday.

Both, who are now 83, started the school in 1947.

"I started at the same time as Rosaleen, and we've been friends ever since," Barbara told BBC News NI.

Being back in their old classroom triggered many memories, even if things have changed.

"The classroom assistant was a bamboo cane in the corner," Rosaleen said.

"The teachers were strict but they were very good to try and help people from the area to do well."

So was Rosaleen caned at school?

"Well, I've been known to be," she laughed.

For Barbara, the school library was her favourite place.

"You were allowed to go there on a Friday after school, and I remember going down there and thinking 'Oh, so many books, great'," she said.

"It was lovely."

And Rosaleen still has a family connection to the school.

"It's crazy to think that I'm working in the same place that she came as a child and walked in the same corridors," Sarah said.

"She said that the behaviour management strategies were very different, she said she was sent to the principal's office many times to get the cane which obviously doesn't happen anymore.

"This school is obviously in the middle of a big community and the community is so good to the school and the school is so good to the community."

And in World War Two the school saved many members of that community during the Belfast Blitz.

In April 1941, a German bomb fell on nearby Thorndyke Street, killing many residents including those taking refuge in an air-raid shelter.

So Euston Street Primary's basement became the main air-raid shelter for the local community.

The school sustained damage in a later bombing raid, but the basement kept people safe.

During the anniversary open day, many current and former pupils signed their names on the walls of the historic basement corridors.

Colin Johnston also has a continuing family connection to the school, as his granddaughter Poppy Anderson is a pupil.

Colin attended from 1965 until 1972 and was back being shown round by Poppy.

For him, the technology Poppy uses in school is the biggest difference from his own schooldays.

"All the i-Pads and all that they have now, there was nothing like that in my day," he said.

"It's a big change, it's really modern now."

"I remember my first class down in room five, Miss McConnell, and it was a great school."

He said the school was vital to the local community.

"They cannot do without the school," he said.

"As you see even today, the school dinners and all that and the other things that the school runs it's superb."

And for acting head-teacher Laura Rainey that sense of community was part of the reason for big celebration.

"We've welcomed past pupils, past staff and past governors," she said.

"It's been really lovely just to hear lots of positive memories, happy memories.

"And also some memories that you wouldn't hear nowadays about maybe the cane being used and just how things have changed.

"It's so special to have those stories and that legacy.

"We actually have families that have had four generations come through the school. That says everything."