A SCHOOL has recreated a historic moment to mark a planned reunion.

St Mary’s School in Colchester is staging a Prosecco afternoon tea to welcome its old pupils back to have a look around the school and meet old friends.

The event, organised by the school’s alumni organisation, takes place on Saturday, July 1 at the school in Lexden Road.

St Mary’s School opened in the summer of 1908 by sisters May and Lillian Billson at 15 Lexden Road, a house in St Mary’s Terrace East.

Since then, the school has grown to educate 400 pupils today and says it is one of the foremost independent schools in the region.

Its pupils have gone all over the world and famous ‘old girls’ include Olympic sailor Saskia Clark and actress Anna Koval.

Principal Hilary Vipond said: “There is a great fondness for St Mary’s among our former pupils and we love to keep in touch with them.

“Our afternoon teas are always lovely occasions and bring together school friends who perhaps haven’t seen each other in decades.

“The hall is full of chatter and laughter and plenty of reminiscing.

As our students say once a St Mary’s girl, always a St Mary’s girl.”

Today, the school prides itself on high academic achievement.

It said 89 per cent of St Mary’s GCSE candidates achieving five or more GCSEs in 2016.

Mrs Vipond said: “Our consistently excellent academic results demonstrate the effectiveness of single sex education.”

However, there was a time when St Mary’s School did allow a few boys in its classes.

That was in the Seventies and they are welcome to the reunion too.

There are also a few boys in its kindergarten.

The alumni organisation now has about 500 members.

For the planned reunion, current staff and students recreated an iconic photo from 1957, taken on the steps of the senior school in Lexden Road and showing former headmistress Evelyn Butterworth and Phyllis Comrie with students.

Pictured 60 years on, in the same spot are director of St Mary’s Senior School Anwen Jones and Mrs Vipond with students Madison Young, Holly Summers, Harriet Stickels, Hannah Sparrow, Esme Rowley, Felicity Wall and Lydia Jackson.

To reserve a £10 place at the reunion, go to stmaryscolchester.org.uk/alumni.