The children at All Saints Church of England Primary School in Coalville recently enjoyed a visit from Bishop Saju.
The Bishop of Loughborough stopped by the school to join their lunchtime club, ‘Shine Squad’, which meets weekly to learn about faith in a fun and interactive environment.
Shine Squad also helps the school think about spirituality, Collective Worship, and how to consider the big questions that the Christian faith brings up.
During his visit to All Saints, Bishop Saju took a tour around the school, making time to 'shoot some hoops' with the children and play a little table tennis. He joined them for Collective Worship, and very kindly gifted the school an olive tree.
The children took great pleasure in asking him all kinds of questions, which he described as “profound”.
“It was an absolute joy,” said Bishop Saju. “I had such a lovely time with the children - playing basketball, table tennis, and simply being present with them. Before I left, I was asked to take the assembly, which felt a real privilege. What struck me most was the warmth of the school’s culture and the outstanding thoughtfulness of the children’s questions.”
A brilliant and memorable experience all round, the pupils were keen to express a great big “Thank You” to Bishop Saju for sharing his wisdom and time.
In the last school year, Shine Squad have enjoyed visits from Matt Long, diocesan Youth Engagement & Intergenerational Communities Enabler, and Heartland Youth For Christ youth worker, Johnny Abbott, as well as taken a trip to Leicester Cathedral.
Shine Squad is run by Pioneer Curate Revd Rhi O'Rourke and Grace Wardle, a teacher at the school.
“Shine Squads offers the children a space to explore faith in a safe way,” explains Revd Rhi. “All are welcome whether they are Christian, of other faiths, or have no faith.
“It’s a low pressure, easy group to run, that all churches could consider by approaching their local school to see if they would like something similar started.”
Revd Rhi would be happy to chat with anyone who would like more information and advice about starting a lunchtime school group: rhiorourke@gmail.com