Back to school for class of '69

Were your school days the best days of your life? Yes, say a trio who have been friends since meeting in the classroom at the age of 12.

More than 50 years on they are still the best of buddies, and have decided the time is right for a reunion with other pupils who attended the former Cardinal Hinsley Roman Catholic School, Newark. Sue Ginnelly (nee Varley) Margaret Smith (nee Donegan) and Kate Bagrie (nee Cunningham) met as pupils at the school in 1963. They hit it off immediately and quickly become inseparable.

“We just gelled,” said Sue. “We shared a similar sense of humour and we were a bit mischievous. There were some great friendships which have continued long after we left school.”

The new purpose-built secondary modern school on Grange Road replaced the senior forms of the old Holy Trinity Roman Catholic School on Parliament Street.

It offered the opportunity for all parents who wanted to send their children to a Catholic secondary school in the town to do so.

Kate remembers it as a lovely place to learn.

“It was a small school surrounded by green fields,” she said. “Everybody felt very special to be there.”

Their head was the late Mr James McCann, whom Margaret and the others still remember with respect and affection.

“He was strict, but very fair,” said Margaret. “He knew everyone by name and every pupil’s family.”

The school day started and finished with prayers and an assembly and there were strict rules about uniform ­— a black blazer, grey skirt, white blouse and red and black tie.

“We were always told that when we were out, we represented the school and so we had to look smart,” said Sue.

“Mr McCann was often at the school gate making sure we were properly dressed.”

They were in a class of 24, of which 16 continued into the fifth form to take their CSEs.

The trio all have fond memories of their school days. Margaret said she particularly enjoyed drama and being in the school plays and Kate said they had been very fortunate to have the opportunity to go on trips abroad.

Sue said: “I enjoyed all the lessons, and loved the fact that sport played an important part of school life.”

Pupils were all given plenty of opportunity and encouragement to learn in the core subjects of maths, English, science and religious education. Sport was important too with successful hockey, football and netball teams that played against other secondary modern schools in the area.

They left Cardinal Hinsley in 1969 when a ball was held to mark their final days. It was a celebration but also a sad occasion.

“We never wanted to leave.We had such happy times there,” said the trio.

The reunion is open to past pupils whose birth date is between September 1, 1952 and August 31, 1957. They also hope anyone who taught or worked at the school, while they were there, will come along.

The event will be held at Holy Trinity Community and Partnership Centre, Boundary Road, Newark, a week on Saturday, starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £10. Anybody wanting to attend should contact Sue at sueg022@gmail.com or text 07970 782889.