MANY youngsters might aim to be an astronaut, a footballer or even a reality TV star but an aspiration to be a frog catcher won a special commendation for one Furness pupil back in 1997.

Lyndsey Rampton, from St Columba’s School, Walney, received her certificate for describing her dream job in the Royal Mail’s Young Letter Writers Awards.

The Mail, on October 6, noted: “St Columba’s was one of 500 schools out of 12,000 to win a special certificate for its entries.

“Around 150 pupils wrote about a wide range of dream jobs, including being a football star and a Spice Girl.

“Lyndsey’s inspiration for her unusual ideal career came when she saw her first specimen while out playing.”

In July 1994 the Walney school’s sports day was in the spotlight with 100 pupils competing for the red, blue and yellow teams in everything from an obstacle course to an egg and spoon race.

The pre-school playgroup at St Columba’s received a £2,615 boost from Cumbria County Council in April 1996.

A cheque was presented by councillors Alf Horne and Anne Burns from the county’s Under Five’s Committee and was being used to buy playgroup equipment.

In September 1997 St Columba’s hosted a funday which included the visit of a fire engine and firefighters from Barrow’s Green Watch team.

Also at the event was a magician, stalls, competitions and dancing displays by members of the Christine Hart and Dorothy Kennedy Schools of Dancing.

Headteacher Pat Hurley said: “The day was a great success.

“It was a good turnout with more than 200 parents, family and friends attending.”

The Mail, on June 27 in 2008 recorded that the school had been deemed as outstanding by inspectors from the education watchdog Ofsted.

It noted: “Pupils were complimented for their eagerness to take on responsibility in helping others and their fundraising for projects in Zambia and Zimbabwe.”

The inspection report noted that “Being kind to one another is a central theme that the pupils regularly refer to and try hard to live up to.”

Headteacher Pat Hurley said: “What pleased me the most was that the report celebrated the whole thing the school is about and not just our academic success.”