Holy Child Primary School in Derry is to host a number of special events next week to mark the 60th anniversary of its opening.
Since it opened on Central Drive at the end of August 1956, thousands of children, among them Ireland international footballer James McClean and Eurovision Song Contest winner and Irish Presidential candidate, Dana, have passed through its doors.
The school is keen to hear from former pupils and staff who would like to get involved in the celebrations.
One of the highlight of the celebrations will be a service at the adjacent St Mary’s Church at 11.30am on Friday, September 30.
Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, will be in attendance and among the celebrants will be Father George McLaughlin who previously served in the Creggan parish and was chaplain of Holy Child Primary School from 1958 to 1978.
A host of other events will also take place.
School principal, Orla Mc Donnell, said it was an exciting time for the school.
“Holy Child is a wonderful school with a rich history,” she said.
“It has served the Creggan community well through good times and bad.
“During my years as principal I have been approached by many, many people from all walks of life in Derry and beyond, who recount cherished memories of their time here and who have a great loyalty to the school.
“It is therefore only right and fitting that in a year such as this, events are planned which will allow such friends to visit again and join with those still privileged to be here.
“We would love as many past pupils, staff and governors as possible to come along to our Mass on September 30.”
The official opening ceremony was marked by a blessing from the then Bishop of Derry, Neil Farren.
Holy Child was one of the first schools to open in the ‘new’ Creggan estate which was seen as a major development in addressing the chronic housing needs in the city at the time.
The school initially catered for children aged five, six and seven but later developed in to a full scale primary and nursery school.
When it opened, Holy Child had 384 pupils and ten members of staff.
The cost of building the school was estimated at £45,000.
Photo shows 13 sets of twins who were pupils at the school in the 1950
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