Barnham school prepares for golden year in the autumn

The golden anniversary of St Philip Howard High School takes place this autumn.

A committee of volunteers is seeking to include as many people as possible with links to the school in a range of occasions.

The events which have been publicised so far will provide them with two major opportunities to reflect on the school's past.

The first is a reunion at the Elm Grove premises on October 17. This will be followed two days later by a celebration mass at Arundel Cathedral.

Julia Janiec, the publicity officer for the school's co-ordinating committee for the golden jubilee celebrations, said: "The full school reunion will give all pupils and teachers from the past 50 years the opportunity to catch up with friends, associates and colleagues.

"It will also give them the chance to explore the many changes that have taken place over the years within the school premises. Light refreshments will be provided during the afternoon.

"The celebration mass will take place on the feast of St Philip Howard at the site of our patron saint's tomb in the cathedral.

"This will be concelebrated with the Bishop of Arundel and Barnham, the Rt Rev Kieran Conry, together with priests who have served as chaplains over the years at the school.

"This special event will be followed by a reception in the Baron's Hall at Arundel Castle, by kind permission of the Duke of Norfolk, a direct descendant of Philip Howard.

"This is a wonderful venue in which to celebrate the school's milestone."

The school has grown greatly from its first day in 1959 with 210 pupils. This has increased to the present total of more than 800.

Many come from the Bognor Regis, Chichester and Five Villages areas. But others travel from as far afield as Midhurst, the Witterings, Selsey, Storrington and Pulborough.

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