A LOWESTOFT school that helped to lay the foundations for thousands of local youngsters to go on to build successful lives and careers for themselves marks its centenary next year.

A LOWESTOFT school that helped to lay the foundations for thousands of local youngsters to go on to build successful lives and careers for themselves marks its centenary next year.

Denes High School reaches 100 years of life in April 2010 and a whole host of events are being planned to mark the milestone occasion, including three special reunions this autumn.

Those who attended the secondary and grammar school from 1930 through to the early 1970s are all invited to the occasions which are sure to prove a great chance to be reunited with former schoolmates and relive old memories.

Celebrations of the centenary began earlier this month when a tree was planted at the school to mark 100 years since work first began on the Yarmouth Road site.The foundation stone was first laid on May 28, 1909 and the doors of the school were officially opened for the first time on April 13, 1910.

Over the years countless pupils and staff have come and gone as the school changed with the times. In 1947 the secondary school became Lowestoft County Grammar School and in 1972 it became The Denes High School.

A centenary committee, featuring staff, governors and ex-pupils, has been established to help organise the series of celebratory events and they have been in close contact with former pupil Mike Bristow to arrange the event.

Mr Bristow now lives in Minnesota, USA, but back in May last year he contacted The Journal to help reunite him with the class of September 1955.

Following correspondence with Mr Bristow and reports from the chairman of the centenary events committee Justin Smith, booking is now starting for past pupils and staff of the school from the 30s through to the 70s to secure their places at the special reunions later this year.

The first reunion, for those who attended fifth form between September 1930 and July 1950 is taking place on Friday, September 25.

The second, which is for those who attended fifth form between September 1950 and July 1960, takes place on Saturday, September 26; and the third, for those who attended fifth form at the grammar school between September 1960 and the early 1970s, will take place on Saturday, October 3. Teachers and staff from those decades are also invited to attend the event.

To confirm your attendance or for more information write and send a SAE to Mr C. J. Brooks, 356 London Road South, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0BQ, email cjb356lrs@yahoo.co.uk or call 01502 563208 between 6pm and 7pm.

A reunion is also taking place on Friday, June 5 for past and present members of staff at the school. To confirm attendance to this staff-only event, contact Denes High School.

A final reunion to mark the opening of the school will be held at the Marina Theatre and Denes High School on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Bookings for this will be taken from September.