THE BISHOP of Leeds visited Menston to

officially open a new building at St Mary's School on Friday.

Bishop David Konstant spent a day at the school to open the new Hume building, and take a look around the new facilities.

The building represents the culmination of the school's development from a small three-form entry secondary modern to a fully-equipped six form entry comprehensive school.

Two Information Technology students at the school put on a display showing how the school's facilities have developed, and how the new building will help future learning.

But as one building project ended, the school began its next project - the building of a new lawn tennis court, and an office block, reflecting the school's grant of Sports College status.

Teacher Gerry Sayers said: "It was a very good day in the life of the school. Everyone enjoyed it very much."

The Bishop was joined in the school's chapel by the wife and daughters of former deputy head teacher Kevin Leaver, who died of meningitis last year. The chapel was recently dedicated in memory of Mr Leaver and those members of the school community who have died.

Former teachers from the school's past were invited to attend a special reception and lunch, and were shown around the Hume building along with the Bishop.