On Friday 20th September, Parkside Community College hosted a historic event to mark 50 years since it became a co-educational comprehensive school, with male and female students successfully learning together over the past five decades.
The event reunited different generations of the Parkside community and provided an opportunity for everyone to reflect on and celebrate their time at the school. With such a strong turnout, it was a lively occasion which brought members of the local community together and allowed them to reminisce on happy memories created at Parkside.
The special occasion was split into two parts, with the first part aimed at current students and families and the second aimed at alumni and staff members who have enjoyed working at the school over the decades.
Throughout, there was live music from both current and former students as well as speeches from various key figures in the school’s history. Guests were also able to enjoy reflecting on how the school has changed over the years as they browsed photos from the archives. To commemorate the occasion, two young student artists, Scarlet and Katie, designed a clock which they proudly displayed at the event.
Alongside this, guests were treated to a range of food and drink options available to purchase from stalls.
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Andrew Hutchinson, a former Principal of the school, said:
“The school is more than just a building; it’s the students who come year after year that make it special.”
Craig Morrison, Executive Principal from 2019-2023, added:
“Young people deserve this special place. Young people own this community; it’s theirs.”
Dee Wallace, current Principal at Parkside Community College, said:
“All of us at Parkside were delighted to host our 50-year anniversary celebration and to welcome both current and former members of our school community. The event was a wonderful celebration of our school as we reach this significant milestone and we are so pleased that so many were able to join us. Thank you to everyone who attended as well as to all those who helped organise the event, and of course to our fantastic student musicians who put on brilliant performances for us.”