Eighteen former pupils of Notre Dame Collegiate School in Everton Valley, Liverpool, gathered at the Panoramic 34 restaurant on July 9, 2026, to celebrate their enduring friendship and upcoming 80th birthdays. The group, which first met in 1958, included friends who traveled from Arizona, Canada, and across the UK.
Reunion Organised Through Friends Reunited
The group initially reconnected through the now-defunct social networking site Friends Reunited and has met regularly for 30 years. Anne McCann, 79, from Childwall, told the Liverpool Echo: “We’ve done these for 30 years. Some people kept in touch over the years after they left school, but when Friends Reunited started, more of us managed to get together.”
This reunion was made extra special after a post-Christmas meet-up, where the group realized many would soon turn 80. Anne said: “Usually we just go for lunch or have afternoon tea, but when we met just after Christmas, one of the group mentioned how we’ll all be turning 80 next year, so we thought, well, we’ll have to make this a special one.”
Memories of School Days and Mischief
The afternoon was filled with laughter and recollections of strict teachers, elocution lessons, and pranks. Anne recalled: “There are teachers we talk of now with dread, but then there are also the jokes we send each other such as 'nothing frightens me, I was taught by a nun.'”
One memorable prank involved stuffing a bell with paper so it wouldn’t ring during assembly. Another saw a note placed under a piano lid reading “how about some jazz?”, which enraged the piano-playing nun. Anne said: “She went absolutely mad. She went round every classroom and yelled at us and told us we should never do April Fools because it was what the soldiers had done to Christ. It put me off April Fools' Day for the rest of my life.”
Despite the strictness, the friends still recite elocution phrases like “father's car is a Jaguar, and father drives rather far.” Anne added: “When we meet, it’s as though we met yesterday.”
A Memento From Their Demolished School
When Notre Dame Collegiate School was demolished, Anne’s cousin rescued a brick from the site, which was later cut into pieces and distributed among the group. Anne said: “It was so sad to see it knocked down, but we all have a piece of the school.”
Support Through Life’s Ups and Downs
The group has supported each other through bereavements and challenges. Anne noted that three members lost their husbands in the last six months, yet one widow attended despite her recent loss because her husband “would go mad if she didn’t come.” Anne said: “There’s no competition. It’s just respect and care for each other. We all look after each other and help each other out.”
Technology Keeps Them Connected
The friends use WhatsApp and Messenger groups to organize meet-ups. Anne said: “Even though we’re 80 we’re still using new technology, although I don’t think we can quite cope with Instagram. When people moan about new technology, that’s what keeps us together. Instead of having to write letters or ring round, everything can be sorted in minutes.”
