A HISTORIC Blackburn school is celebrating its 90th year by appealing for its former students to come forward to share their memories, photographs and anecdotes as part of a new alumni community.
St Mary’s College has teamed up with the education charity Future First to help reconnect with its past students to help support the current student body as well as assisting in creating a commemorative booklet showcasing the last 90 years.
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It was founded in 1925 as a Catholic boys’ grammar school by the Marist Fathers – a group of priests who work in the name of the Virgin Mary.
The school was constructed on the former Blackburn Olympic FC ground and became a Catholic sixth form college in 1978.
It is keen to hear from students from the early days of the Catholic grammar school for boys to when it became a co-educational sixth form.
Nick McNeil, the school’s chair of governors, said: “I went to the school between 1966 and 1973 and I have very fond memories of my time there.
“It’s great that it has reached this milestone.
“I would encourage any former student to get in contact to help celebrate the school’s 90th year.”
Principal Frank Dixon, said: “The college has a long and illustrious past serving East Lancashire for more than 50 years.
“The Marist Fathers, who founded the colleges in 1925, act as trustees and have a presence in Blackburn.
“A network of former students with all their valuable experience will greatly help us broaden current pupils’ job horizons and equip them for the world of work.
“I am also looking forward to launching our alumni, enabling old friends to reconnect and keeping them up to date with new and exciting developments at St Mary’s College.”
Future First managing director, Alex Shapland-Howes, said: More than 39 per cent of state school students don’t know anyone in a job they’d like to do.
“If they see that someone who went to the same school, grew up in the same community, has achieved a fulfilling and satisfying job, it helps them see it’s possible for them too.
“It’s really important for all students to be motivated to succeed in the working world, and hearing first hand from relatable people in interesting jobs can make a difference.”
Former students can get in contact via www.networks.futurefirst/former-student/stmc or marketing@stmarysblackburn.ac.uk.
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