THE Bishop of Shrewsbury is to lead a celebratory mass on Thursday to mark a special anniversary in the history of St Nicholas Catholic High School.

The Right Reverend Mark Davies will lead a full school mass in the afternoon before unveiling a plaque to commemorate the occasion.

The Bishop will be visiting the school as part of celebrations for its 50th anniversary, which includes an alumni event on Saturday, December 5.

A number of events are being planned throughout the year to mark the anniversary, and people are invited to send in school pictures from the past 50 years.

The school opened as a secondary modern on September 6, 1965, with Michael O’Connor as its first head teacher and Father R Velarde, parish priest of St Wilfrid’s, Northwich, as the school’s first chairman of governors.

It was the first Roman Catholic establishment to be opened in mid-Cheshire for a century, and started with 210 students across eight forms, supported by 12 teaching staff.

It was built at a cost of £160,000, two-thirds of which was raised by Roman Catholic worshippers through the local churches, the remainder of the cost being funded by the local authority.

The school now accommodates 1,271 students, and has 93 full and part-time teaching staff.

“Combining the strong Catholic principles of school with a desire to achieve the very best for every student we support, St Nicholas is proud of delivering educational excellence for 50 years to our community,” said the school.

The celebration event in December is aimed at pupils in the classes of 1965 onwards.

It will begin with a Catholic celebration service, followed by school tours and a reunion Christmas disco with hot/cold buffet and a bar.

“If people have any historical pictures to share of the school, or know a previous classmate or teacher who would like to be included in our look back to the last 50 years, please email them to alumni@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk," said the school.

“We are also planning a number of events throughout the year to celebrate our anniversary, so please keep up to date with our events listings and news.”