A MASS celebrating 50 years of Holy Family Catholic School featured songs, music, blessings and prayers.

School governor Father Andrew Summersgill and school chaplain Father Mike Walsh presided over the event shortly before the end of term.

Holy Family took in its first students in September 1964, though the official opening by the Bishop of Leeds was in May 1965.

A spokesman for the school said the mass had been a "vibrant and joyful" occasion.

He added: "It was preceded by a rendition of the school song from 1964 by Veronica Newey, who was a member of that first Holy Family cohort.

"Members of our maths department dusted off their speaking voices to provide an animated reading of the story of Joseph from the Old Testament, and the Gospel procession was led by the science department.

"Our school’s musicians were well to the fore, leading lively action hymns."

Staff and pupils exchanged mutual blessing, with staff pledging to to conscientiously look after everyone in their care, and students pledging to listen to their teachers.

The event concluded with the commission and blessing of Martin Hings, Holy Family's recently appointed head teacher.