Children from Swinford CofE Primary were bowled over by Bishop Saju when he joined them to celebrate the school’s 150th Anniversary recently, even managing to squeeze in a game of cricket during his visit.
The four- to 11-year-olds spent the afternoon with the Bishop of Loughborough, diocesan Director of Education, Carolyn Lewis, and various members of the Embrace Multi Academy Trust, showing them around the school and sharing their work, vision and Christian values.
Bishop Saju took time to talk to the staff and pupils in every class, alongside the school’s Co-Head Teachers, Edy O’Connor and Rachel Chamberlain, and just happened to find some children playing cricket on the lower playground with the sports coach, so thought it rude not to join in!
“We did have an inkling that he liked to play,” said Rachel. “There are a couple of children who will be forever saying they caught out a bishop at cricket!”
The afternoon culminated with the whole school coming together in a service of worship, to which key supporters had also been invited, including members of the Embrace Trust, school governors, the PTA group, local community groups, the parish council, parent helpers, local farmers and church members.
During the service, the children took an active part in sharing what they had been learning about their school’s history. The service was in three parts: looking back to where it all began, looking at who loves us now, and finally, how God shows love to us.
Those gathered sang hymns and songs which had been carefully chosen by staff, including Kindness is the Way, How Great Thou Art and Together.
Pupils from years five and six had also written prayers that were read by the school’s Chair of Governors, Seona Farrelly, and Embrace CEO, Sharon Mullins.
Bishop Saju spoke to the children, asking them to illustrate how much God loves each of us.
And like all good birthday celebrations, a cake was cut and shared out among everyone, including parents at school pick-up later that afternoon.
“The children sang wonderfully, and many people have commented how lovely the service was - such a great atmosphere full of joy and hope for the next 150 years,” said Rachel.
“The words of the songs were very apt about what we are trying to achieve here at Swinford – together we are stronger, we have to remember we are one, with love at the centre, we can come together.”
In the final part of the service, pupils prayed for Pioneer Minister Sharon March, who was recently relicensed in her role in the Avon Swift Benefice.
Sharon has built a deep relationship with the staff and pupils at Swinford over the last five years, supporting them in the leading of collective worship and along with Revd Stephen March, runs a Thursday Church Club at the school – a gathering similar to Messy Church.
Together with Rachel, Sharon is successfully trialling a pop-up prayer/reflection tent for pupils and recently ran sessions for staff and governors on developing spiritualty.
“School is my happy place!” said Sharon. “Perhaps that is because it is primarily a community, not simply a place of learning and I feel privileged to be part of all that goes on here at Swinford.
“One of the central things that has grown in importance for me is how we value children and young people in the worshipping communities we share, and more specifically what they can teach us about spirituality and worship.
"Answering their deep questions about life and faith and sharing in their joys and sorrows with spontaneity and honesty means authentic community can exist. I am welcomed here.”
All the children at Swinford are given the opportunity to lead collective worship during the school year and can do as little or as much as they wish. They are also encouraged to use prayer cards and write their own prayers, so quite naturally use prayer and reflection as a way to communicate with God or think deeper about something important to them.
Bishop Saju's visit formed part of the school’s 150th birthday celebrations, which have included a community coffee morning and the annual May fete. A special archive, put together by a group of parents and dating back across the decades of the school’s history including old registers, class photos, and plans of the school through all its changes, has been shared with the village, and informed part of the service.
Rachel said the celebrations have created a positive feeling of community, with people connecting and reconnecting with Swinford school.
She added: “It was lovely to have the community together in this service and also across the events to celebrate the 150th birthday of the school.
"The school is cherished in the community but that doesn't mean that things are always rosy, as with any relationship there are good times and challenges, but with love at the centre we can work through things together. Our school vision (1 Cor 13:8) reminds us: ‘(God’s) love never fails.’”
Reflecting on the visit, Bishop Saju said: “What really struck me was how Swinford’s school value of love was writ large for all to see, and not only writ large, but very intentionally lived out across the whole school community.
“They honoured their history, marking the past and looking at what surrounds them now, and it was wonderful to hear stories of those historical connections, including that of one former pupil, a local farmer, whose children now attend the school.
“And of course, playing cricket with the children was a lot of fun!”
