St Mary's - 50 years young
If you picked up a national newspaper in 1960 you would read about a victorious JKF beating Nixon to the American presidency, the TV guide would mention a new show starting entitled Coronation Street and the sports pages would be cheering on Burnley for winning the English First Division, whilst the USSR take the title in the first ever European Football Championships in Paris.
However in September 1960 local reporters would be reporting the birth of a new primary school in Strabane, as the school gates opened for the first time on the Melmount Road when St Mary’s Boys’ Primary School welcomed local boys from the parish to their new classes.
Originally with just six staff and serving the ever increasing parish of Melmount, the popular Strabane school will this year be celebrating its 50th year of educational service to the local community with a host of events planned throughout the year for past and present pupils and families connected to the school.
Sandra O’Doherty, the principal, said: “The forthcoming 50th anniversary celebrations offer an exciting mixture of events which will appeal to everyone who has been involved in the school over the last 50 years. I would personally like to offer an open invitation to past and present pupils and their families, staff and the wider local community to get involved.
“Our first event will be held at the Fir Trees Hotel on February 20th, entitled “Friends Reunited”, so if you went to St Mary’s between 1960 - 1990, this will be your chance to catch up with old faces, swap stories and enjoy some fantastic food and music.”
“Other events planned throughout the year include a St Mary’s Unplugged Music Night (March 27th) at Dicey Rileys, “Beat the Teacher” Quiz night (April 22nd) at the Fir Trees, our under 11 disco at Katy Dalys (March 29th), a fantastic St Mary’s Golf Team Classic (May 16th), a new school production, fashion show and photography exhibition at Strabane’s award winning Alley Theatre, “Party on the Pitch”, a fantastic carnival set to be held at Strabane Sigersons GAA Club on June 25th and a special celebration Mass on Sept 24th at Melmount Chapel. The celebrations will conclude with a Grand Gala Ball at the Fir Trees on October 9th, a fitting conclusion to a great 50 years of education in Strabane.”
Tickets are now on sale for “Friends Reunited”, which will be held at the Fir Trees Hotel, from the St Mary’s Boys’ Primary School Office on 028 7138 2422. Tickets are limited and cannot be reserved, so early booking is essential. The 50th anniversary events will also raise money for special school projects.
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Weather for Derry
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
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Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
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