A SPECIAL mass has been held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Saint Michael’s Primary School.

Saint Michael’s Parish hosted the service to mark the beginning of a year-long celebration of 50 years of the Dumbarton School.

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia took the mass today, Tuesday October 1.

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Glasgow welcomed current pupils and staff of the school, as well as former head teachers, pupils, members of staff, parish priests, parishioners and representatives from West Dunbartonshire Council.

The school opened on August 25, 1969, when there was a school role of 722 pupils, along with a staff of 19.

Its first head teacher, Sister Mary John, is still fondly remembered when pupils take part in the school’s annual football tournament - ‘The Sister Mary John Cup’.

There have been many memorable moments in the life of the school since 1969, especially on February 18, 1998 when the children, staff and parents were led in procession along Cardross Road to their new school building on the site of the former Saint Patrick’s boys’ secondary.

Jennifer Mulvenna, the current head teacher, said: “Saint Michael’s has a long and proud history in Dumbarton, and the children are a credit to the school. I would like to thank the staff and whole school community for their continued support.”