PAST pupils, parents and staff are being invited to share their memories as a Dorchester school prepares to celebrate half a century of educating children.

St Osmund’s Middle School will mark 50 years since it opened in September 1964 with an open afternoon on Friday, September 12.

And the school wants visitors to the event to be able to enjoy old photos, memorabilia and other items to help bring its rich history to life.

School business manager Joy Ray is asking people with a past involvement with the school to get in touch with their memories.

She said: “What I’m asking is for people to send them in now so we will have them here and can do the display during the summer.”

Mrs Ray said that she had already had people get in touch with things like a video of the opening of the school swimming pool and is keen for anyone to either send things in or drop them off at the school.

The plan is to divide the finished display into sections covering each of the five decades of the school.

Mrs Ray said that the Bishop of Sherborne Dr Graham Kings would be giving a special assembly to the school on Wednesday, September 10 ahead of the open afternoon on the Friday of that week.

She said the children have also been getting involved by creating a mural as well as taking part in other craft activities to celebrate the occasion and looking back through the school’s history.

Each child will also be given a special mug in September to mark the anniversary.

Mrs Ray said: “It’s good to get the children involved.”

On the open afternoon current headteacher Jim Williams, who joined the school in January, will welcome former headteacher’s back to St Osmund’s.

Former parents, teachers and governors will also be invited to attend the event.

Anyone with pictures or items to send is asked to email 50years@stosmunds.dorset.sch.uk or they can drop them off at the school.

All marked items will be returned after the event.