Former pupils return as St Pius X RC Primary School in Barrow celebrates silver anniversary in 1999

The affection former pupils held for St Pius, on Schneider Road, was shown in a variety of ways, not least the fact that children who had moved on to St Bernard's RC High School still came back to help out.

Pupils at St Pius X School in 1999, the year it celebrated its 25th anniversary

It was a sentiment shared by parents and staff, with PTA committee members Isabel Duncan and Margaret Fitzsimmons - who both had daughters at the school where they worked as midday supervisors - working for months to organise the anniversary festivities.

The commitment extended to parents like Trevor Jones, who came in once a week to take the chess club, and Maria Bracken, who volunteered as an escort on the school bus.

The skipping race at St Pius X School sports day in 1995

St Pius opened on April 22, 1974, with 224 pupils on its roll under the headship of Sister Agnes. It was a replacement for Sr Mary's School, formerly on Rodney Street, along with Holy Family.

Sister Agnes left in 1982 but remained in touch with her successor and headteacher in 1999 Ann Lillevik.

The Mail reported it was the pervading sense of happiness and the place it held in the community that defined St Pius.

People formed a bond that in some cases proved impossible to break - teacher Deborah Kolbe attended school there, went away to college and then returned as a staff member, replacing her own former teacher.

The school was mindful that the Government stress on education should not diminish pupils' spiritual development, with Father Stephen Cross, from St Mary's Church, regularly visiting the children.

Pupils cheer on competitors at St Pius X School sports day in 1995

Religious co-ordinator Tracie Roberts said that, as a Roman Catholic school, the Catholic faith was taught first and foremost but other faiths were taught as well.

The 25th anniversary celebrations included a special mass at church.

There was a buffet available until lunchtime, where people were welcome to walk around the school and catch up with old friends.

In the afternoon, there was children's entertainment, including a magician, bouncy castle and a balloon release.