ST Mark’s came together to celebrate its 60th year with a special mass presided by Bishop Alan Williams.

The moving and enjoyable service was in a packed school hall with current and former staff, governors and students in attendance.

Four of the school’s five headteachers were present and many memories were shared.

The service highlighted the role that the school has in the community with Bishop Alan reminding everyone that the school has a long and distinguished past, but looks to an exciting future as work on the new building begins in earnest.

As part of the day Bishop Alan met with students and toured the school.

The final event saw the breaking of the ground for the new build

Headteacher John Taylor said, “This has been a very special day, a coming together of the past, the present and the future, and we look forward with great excitement to the new building, but we rightly celebrate the 60 years of service that has come before us”.

The celebrations then continued into the weekend where over 150 former students visited St Mark’s to see the building for a final time before the work commences.

There was much reminiscing and celebrations as former friends met up and shared memories.

Students from the very first intake in 1965 sharing their stories with students who left last year.

By 2028 a brand-new state of the art school will stand on the site, but the memories and the history will remain.