St Benedict's Catholic High School Celebrates 60 years with special Mass
On Friday 11th October, St Benedict's Catholic High School celebrated its 60th anniversary with a special Mass and celebration led by His Grace, Bernard Longley, the Archbishop of Birmingham.
The milestone occasion brought together students, staff and alumni to celebrate and reflect on the school's proud history and its ongoing commitment to both education and faith across Alcester.
The Mass and anniversary celebrations took place in the school’s sports hall, which had been magnificently transformed to resemble the school’s chapel, featuring artwork inspired by its stained-glass windows and student-created paintings of saints.
The archbishop was warmly welcomed by a congregation of students and staff, and he began the service with a message that emphasised the importance of community, service, and faith. His words resonated deeply with those in attendance, as he encouraged the school to continue building on its strong foundations.
After the welcome from the archbishop, the service was followed by the Penitential Rite and a selection of prayers and Bible readings. Hymns were sung throughout the service, with contributions from the school's choir adding a special touch to the occasion.
Students and staff then participated in the Communion, a central part of the celebration, before the Mass concluded with prayers and a final blessing from the archbishop.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Headteacher Mrs Paddock said, “This celebration marks a pivotal moment in our school’s history, and having the archbishop here to lead us in this special Mass has been a profound honour. We are truly grateful for the opportunity for our students to participate in such a historic event, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make it a success.”
Following the Mass, the celebration continued with a unique time capsule ceremony. Students from across the year groups contributed thoughtful items, including handwritten poems and artwork, which were then placed inside the capsule and buried on the school grounds. Furthermore, six new trees were planted, representing six decades of the school, which were then individually blessed by the archbishop.
The day’s events concluded with a celebratory buffet, where students, staff, and guests gathered to enjoy food and share stories about the school’s past, reminiscing about their time at St Benedict’s and celebrating the school’s achievements over the last six decades.
As St Benedict's Catholic High School looks to the future, the 60th anniversary celebrations served as a reminder of the school’s enduring role in shaping the lives of its students. Grounded in faith and community, St Benedict's is poised to continue its legacy of excellence for many years to come.
