Celebrating 60 Years of NBS

60th Anniversary Mass

On Thursday 4th July 2024, we commemorated a significant milestone with the 60th Anniversary Mass held at St. Albans Cathedral. This special event was a poignant reminder of NBS’s enduring legacy and the values that have shaped our institution over the past six decades. Celebrating Mass in the Cathedral was also a poignant reminder of the school’s history and deep connections. We honour our connection with Nicholas Breakspear and his family and acknowledge the Cathedral’s history of change and continuity, spanning centuries from a small church to a grand Cathedral.

Nicholas Breakspear School has followed a similar path, starting small in 1963 and still growing into an oversubscribed school in 2024.

The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nicholls, who in his homily encouraged our community “Do Not Be Afraid’ in our doubts and in our opinions” and to continue to uphold our school’s motto – ‘Per Tuas Semitas’ by living ‘In Thy Ways’ of Christ as a guiding principle for life.

Cardinal Nichols reflected on the journey of NBS, honouring the founders, educators, and students who have contributed to our rich history. He emphasised the importance of learning from our six house saints and that the NBS community is a special community which truly makes a difference to the lives of our students.

Throughout this special service, we were blessed to be led by our talented choir with heartfelt hymns. We also had some more talented NBS students who led us in a post communion presentation. These students captivated everyone with a vibrant reflection featuring drama, musical, and dance performances. These artistic displays masterfully illustrated key historical moments from the past 60 years, from the rise of The Beatles, to the impact of COVID-19. Each performance was a powerful reminder of our collective history and the valuable lessons learned, inspiring the congregation to reflect on the past and look forward to a brighter future.

This week has truly been a testament to the dynamic spirit of NBS. The NBS Elects event and the 60th Anniversary Mass each highlighted different aspects of our community of which I am incredibly #NBSproud. The opportunity to engage in political

discourse and to celebrate our history, allows us to continue to build a vibrant and inclusive community.

Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported these events. We are indeed a very special community.