IN the last 50 years at St Oswald’s staff and pupils have come and gone - there has even been a change in address.

But, despite all the arrivals, departures and modifications, nothing has changed the family atmosphere the school has had since it opened its doors back in 1967.

In celebration of the half-century milestone St Oswald’s High School for kids with special needs took a trip back to the 60s.

Class rooms were brought back to the decade it first opened with pupils and teachers dressing top to bottom in tie dye, flared trousers and tassel waistcoats.

One room, furnished with the traditional single desks and black board, even came with a typical belt-brandishing teacher from the 60s played by one of the school’s pupils.

Each person there had memories to tell of their time at the school.

“The day was tremendous,” said current school head teacher Margaret Macleay.

“We have been supported so much by everyone from current and former staff and former pupils.

“A lot of people were involved to make the day what it was and it was great see so many familiar faces.

“Each person who were here have special memories of this place and that’s testament to the atmosphere the people have managed top generate since the start.”

Former teachers, support workers, parents and pupils attended the event which started off with a celebratory mass and moved to the themed class rooms.

Gerry McDonnell, the school’s headteacher from 1997 to 2011, was back in the school for the event.

He said: “It was great to be back.

“The place has always been full of very committed people who have worked to make the school such a special place.

“There is a real willingness to address the extra needs pupils have at that school and that was certainly evident when I was here for nearly 15 years.”

The original school building stood on Brunton Street in Cathcart when it officially opened on April 1967.

However a motion was put forward in 2013 to merge the school with St Mary Margaret’s Secondary School at the time sparking strong protest from teachers and pupils alike.

The motion was passed and the school moved to Birgidale Road in Castlemilk.

The original building accommodated 160 pupils and included four classrooms, five classrooms for tech, art and homecraft classes a library and a gym.

Mrs Macleay, who started teaching at St Oswald’s 22 years ago, said: “There was a lot of anxiety about the move away from Cathcart and to the new school building.

“A lot of people thought it wouldn’t be the same.

“But my opinion is the people involved have made the school what it is.”

Margaret Paul, 68, and Margaret Gibson, 77, share 46 years of service to the school between them.

They both worked together as two of the school’s first support staff who covered every job from classroom and playground minders to cupboard cleaners.

“A lot changed between my first day and my last day - some good things and some not so good things,” said Margaret Paul.

“But what you could always feel when you worked in the school was the feeling that you were part of one big family.

“Everyone worked together to make sure the pupils had the best possible time here.

“I supported the teachers for 29 years and it was great being back in the school meeting up with them again.”

Margaret Gibson said: “Myself and Margaret were the first support staff the school had.

“More came along later as more pupils came and we welcomed them in.

“Everyone was welcomed in to the school - everyone supported one another.”

Bernadette Sweeney, a home economics teacher, is one of the newest members of staff to teach at the school after starting in October last year.

“It was a big change from teaching in mainstream schools,” she said.

“It’s a much more hands on approach.

“But when I first started the support I received from teachers was brilliant - I was made to feel welcome.

“What was amazing for me was the help the pupils also gave me.

“Because I was new some pupils would also help me and let me know what their classmates’ support needs were.

“It’s such a great place to work and there is a real family feeling about the place. I have only just in the door and I hope to be here for the foreseeable future.”

Theresa Sheridan, a Spanish and French teacher who has been teaching at the school for 17 years, said: “We are a family here and everyone works together to make sure the pupils get the best out of their time here.

“Our attendance levels are so high here because we make sure pupils are made to feel part of a big community.

“This school has been a vital part to so many pupils lives.”

Mrs Macleay added: “We are still the community we always have been and I hope it continues.”