St Illtyd’s celebrate with Centenary Dinner

St Illtyd’s Catholic High School, Romney, Cardiff, ended its year long centenary celebrations with a special Centenary Dinner at the President’s Suite in the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The evening started with the Illtdyians singing the school song, ‘Green & Gold’. They also sang the school song with gusto when the celebrations began last year with a Mass at St Alban’s Church, Splott, where the school first opened on 23 January 1923.  You can hear the school song at,   https://www.facebook.com/StAlbanontheMoors/videos/old-illtydians-sing-green-and-gold/268650842814419/

The compere for the night was Phil Steele, a former full-back with Glamorgan Wanderers and Newport, an ex-teacher, and until recently a freelance broadcaster for the BBC.  Pill entertained all the guests throughout the night with his many stories and jokes, some of which caused a few blushes.

At various times during the night, past pupils shared their reminiscences.  Michael Murphy, (1959 intake), now living in New Jersey, USA, John Meegan and Tim McGorman, all shared their memories and praised the quality of the education they had received from both the Brothers and lay staff.  Ken Poole, MBE, another past pupil, and presently Head of Economic Development in Cardiff, gave a brief history of St Illtyd’s, highlighting the work of the Brothers and the school’s illustrious history, not only academically, but also in sport, especially rugby ad baseball. 

The night ended with David Thomas, Headteacher, talking about the present day school, which is oversubscribed and flourishing.  It is still noted for its high academic standards and impressive exam results.  The School is now co-educational, having merged in 1968 with Heathfield House girls’ school.

Further information on the Centenary Celebrations, including many photographs illustrating the history of the school, that were displayed on screens around the President’s suite, can be found at https://www.stilltyds.org.uk/centenary/.