Golden evening for St Mary's School

Teachers and parents joined to mark the occasion at a function organised at the school by the PTA, with a focus on celebrating with former students.

Headteacher David Sidaway said: “It is really important to celebrate our 50th with so many of our former pupils.

“The school has meant so much to so many of them.

“It has been wonderful to see so many come back tonight and see them look at the pictures taken in their schooldays.”

Chair of the governors James O’Shaughnessy said: “The school has played a big role in the local community.

“I have been chair of governors for the past five years, but 50 years is a long time and so many children grew up taking a bit of St Mary’s into life with them.”

The cheese and wine evening started the celebrations, which also included a special mass, a visit by the Bishop of Nottingham and a garden party for the pupils.

One of the former pupils attending was Helen Dodsworth, who was at the school from 1985 to 1991.

“It was wonderful to look at the photographs that brought back so many memories,” she said.

“It is the traditions of St Mary’s that have made the school.”

Helen is pictured above left, with PTA chair Sara Kendall, Mr O’Shaughnessy, Mr Sidaway and PTA member Mary Eames.