STAFF and students from Warrington High School for Girls have reunited 40 years after its last intake of pupils.

A reunion was held on Saturday at the Park Royal Hotel in Stretton for all former pupils and staff of the school, which was previously located in Palmyra Square before it become Priestley College.

More than 220 'old girls' and teachers travelled from as far as New Zealand, America and Sweden to attend the celebrations.

Two women who were pivotal to the success of the event were Sue Hughes and Michele Walker. 

Warrington Guardian:

Jackie Leotardi, a member of the committee who helped to organise the reunion, said: "Sue Hughes set up the Warrington High School for Girls Facebook group in 2013.

"Michele Walker found out that this year was the 40th anniversary of the school's last intake of pupils.

"She had this crazy idea of a reunion.

"People have had individual class reunions before but not a whole school one and Michele said 'let's do it!'"

Warrington Guardian:

Jackie said the idea snowballed thanks to the two women and Michele's brain-child soon attracted former pupils from all over the world, meaning a live-stream was set up on the night for those who couldn't travel.

The oldest pupil, Kathleen Tandy, was in the class of 1941 and she was presented with a bouquet of flowers on stage.

There was also a raffle with prizes donated from both the Park Royal Hotel and San Lorenzo Restaurant which was the original premises of the school in Palmyra Square in the town centre.

Warrington Guardian:

The former teachers who attended were Edith Pagliacci, the deputy head teacher and French and German teacher; Sheila Taylor, mathematics teacher; Audrey Haslam, general studies and RE teacher and the widow of Douglas Haslam, French and Latin teacher; Dennis Davis, geography teacher; Donald Geary, history teacher and Barbara Francis, music teacher.

Warrington Guardian:

Th event accumulated in a rendition of the school song, Non Nobis Domine, which was played live on stage by pianist Mary Bostock.