All Hallows Catholic High School
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All Hallows 50th Anniversary
This year marks a very special milestone in the life of our school as we celebrate 50 years of Catholic education at All Hallows Catholic High School.
Since opening our doors in September 1975, All Hallows has been more than just bricks and mortar. It has been a community built on faith, dedication, and the commitment of pupils, staff, families, clergy, and friends across five decades. Thousands of young people have passed through our school, carrying with them the values and spirit of All Hallows into their families, workplaces, and communities.
Throughout the year, this page will be updated with stories from our history, photographs, and news of the many events taking place to mark this special anniversary. Among these will be our 50th Anniversary Mass, a celebration ball, a summer festival, and a series of fundraising events to create a lasting legacy for future generations of All Hallows pupils.
Our history is a proud one rooted in our Catholic faith, enriched by academic excellence, and sustained by a strong tradition of community. As we look back with gratitude on all that has been achieved, we also look forward with hope, continuing to prepare our young people to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century with courage, wisdom, and love.
We invite you to join us in throughout the year celebrating this remarkable journey, honouring the past, rejoicing in the present, and building for the future.
History of All Hallows
Back in the early 1970s, Catholic children from South Ribble had to travel to either St Cuthbert Mayne High School in Fulwood or Brownedge St Mary’s in Bamber Bridge to receive a Catholic education. At that time, new housing developments were being built in the Penwortham area, and many Catholic families petitioned for a Catholic school to be established closer to home. Parents longed for a school rooted in the same values as St Cuthbert Mayne and St Mary’s, but within their own community.
With the support of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, All Hallows was built. When the school opened its doors in September 1975, it welcomed its first cohort of 120 Year 7 pupils and a 62 Year 8s and Mr Dunstan Melling, formerly Deputy Headteacher at St Cuthbert Mayne, became the first Headteacher of All Hallows.
As the school quickly grew, other key members of staff joined the community. Among them were the next Headteacher and deputy, Mr Michael Flynn and Mrs Patricia Crean, both of whose presence left a lasting impression on many alumni and staff.
Throughout the years, All Hallows has become a school of which the South Ribble area can be truly proud. Thousands of pupils have benefitted from the academic excellence of the school and have gone on to lead and serve across the world, making a positive difference in every part of society. Throughout this century, under the leadership of Mr Christopher Riding and Mr Christopher Horrocks, the school continued to grow, develop, and modernise.
Yet, above all, it is our Catholic roots that remain at the heart of All Hallows. This is what we hold most dear. From the beginning and continuing to this day, staff have encouraged pupils to be ambitious in their actions, to live out the Gospel values, and to make them the anchor for their life choices. All Hallows students are taught to be good citizens, and to put their faith into action in their work, families, and communities. It is these pillars that have been laid down during each pupil’s 5 formative years at All Hallows.
We celebrate all that All Hallows has achieved and we give thanks to God for his blessings on our community. We remember those who were here at the very beginning, those who have shaped and guided the school through the years, and those who continue to uphold its values and principles today.
Here’s to the community that is All Hallows, past, present, and future.
All Hallows Across the Generations
This year, we welcome a very special new Year 7 pupil, Oliver Darwen, who represents that legacy in the most touching way. James will be starting school exactly 50 years after his grandmother, Mrs Denise Darwen who arrived as one of All Hallows’ very first students in September 1975.
Denise remembers her time in school and has brought examples of her school reports and first day photographs for us to look at. How times have changed! Denise's four children also attended the school and so the family tradition continues. When Oliver arrives this September, he will be stepping into the same school his dad and grandma did. These days school has more digital technology, but some things remain the same. Oliver is hoping that his time at All Hallows is as happy as the family members who attended the school before him.
Our school may have changed in many ways. The buildings have expanded, new modern facilities added, new subjects taught, but the heart of All Hallows has always remained the same. It is a place where young people are supported, challenged, and inspired to become the very best versions of themselves.
50th Anniversary Mass
On Thursday 18th September, the school welcomed the community to a special 50th Anniversary Mass to mark this milestone – the opening of the school in September 1975. Staff and pupils, past and present, attended in a 400-strong congregation. Over the years, All Hallows has provided an excellent Catholic education for thousands of young people. Established by the Archdiocese of Liverpool, the school was created to serve the needs of the wider Catholic community. From the very beginning, pupils have been drawn from a family of partner parishes, which remain central to the school’s admissions today. The school has grown from a small Year 7 intake in 1975 to a thriving community of over 900 students. This Golden Jubilee gives us the opportunity to celebrate our past while looking forward with hope and ambition for the future.
The Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Reverend John Sherrington, along with priests and deacons from the parishes, celebrated a joyful Mass. Pupils from across the school served and ministered. The opening hymn, Build Your Kingdom, sung by both the adult and pupil choirs alongside the music group, set the tone for the celebration. A procession of pupils carried flags, pictures of form saints, and school symbols to the altar. Pupils also took part in readings, bidding prayers, and a special offertory, bringing objects that symbolise the Catholic ethos of the school.
The Gospel, from Matthew, focused on the Beatitudes. Archbishop John reflected on how young people following Jesus’ teachings on love, mercy and compassion can build the Kingdom of God on earth – a message echoed in the school’s mission: Growing Together in the Spirit of Christ’s Love.
After Mass, a reception and school tours were held for past staff and pupils, led by Year 11 prefects, concluding a wonderful night of celebration. Here’s to a golden year at All Hallows!
Sweet Success for the 50th Anniversary Mass
Year 10 students Chloe L and Darcey C showcased their baking skills by preparing and decorating over 100 fairy cakes for our school’s 50th Anniversary Mass. Working alongside Mrs Caw, our Food Technology teacher, the girls created a delightful treat that was enjoyed by all after the service.
Their efforts were a huge success, and the cakes were not only a delicious addition to the celebration but also a wonderful example of student creativity and contribution to school life. Well done, Chloe and Darcey!
Save the Date
The PTFA is delighted to announce our 50th Anniversary Ball to celebrate this incredible milestone in our school’s history! Join us on 21st February at the Preston North End Football Club's function room for an evening full of celebration, fun, and community spirit.
This special event marks 50 years of achievements, memories, and growth, and we would love for everyone to be part of this memorable occasion. Further details about the evening will be shared soon, so please save the date and stay tuned!
We look forward to celebrating with our school community and making this a truly special event to remember.
Whole School Photo - Timelapse
To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we had a new whole-school photo. Here's how it happened.
