On 17 September Cardinal Vincent visited St Monica’s Catholic Primary School, Southgate, to celebrate Mass as part of the school’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
A special Mass to mark the occasion was concelebrated by Canon Shaun Lennard, Fr Paulo Bagini, Fr Andrew Gallagher, Fr Philip Dyer-Perry, Fr John O’Leary and Fr John Moffat SJ, who is a nephew of the school’s first Headteacher. As well as the current and fourth Headteacher Mrs Baptiste, the school's previous Head, Mr Ted Getley, was represented by his wife and son. Amongst invited guests, including governors and past staff, was Bernard Moger who was part of the Knights of St Columba committee which was instrumental in getting the Council to agree to build a school and Pat Bolger, the school’s first pupil.
Children from Years 1 to 6 attended the Mass and heard from the Cardinal how important it was to continue to welcome Jesus into their hearts. After Mass, invited guests and staff were joined by the Cardinal for afternoon tea and representatives from the school’s past 60 years were able to share their experiences and memories of St Monica’s.
The official 60th birthday for the school is on Thursday 13 November. Past pupils are invited to contact the school to share their memories during this anniversary year.
