This week some 2,669 year six pupils from the 52 Church of England primary and junior schools in the Diocese of Guildford, attended special farewell services at Guildford Cathedral as they get ready to begin secondary school in September.
The Diocese of Guildford hosted this annual large-scale event for all its Church of England year six pupils to celebrate and reflect on the end of their primary education. The pupils were joined by almost 300 staff and 50 volunteers.
The special Leavers’ Services were led by Bishops Andrew and Paul as well as the Diocese’s Director of Education, Alex Tear. Chaplains and youth workers from some of the secondary schools were involved in the services providing a positive link into the new school. The pupils sang hymns including ‘Shine Jesus shine’ and finished with ‘One more step along the world I go’. At each service pupils from one of the schools read a prayer that they had written with their classmates in which they thanked God, their teachers and peers, for years of happy and joyful memories as well as acknowledging the tough times they had been through together during the Covid Pandemic.
In addition to the formal services, the pupils were involved a range of activities including ‘reflection and prayer stations’, which encouraged the children to think about their proudest moments at primary school, to give thanks for people who had helped them, and reflect on their hopes and anxieties around starting a new school.
Isabelle, a pupil from Wonersh and Shamley Green CofE Primary School said: “The service has helped us remember all the happy times from over the last seven years and get us excited about starting a new school.”
Eva and Connie, pupils from St Martin’s CofE Primary School, Dorking said they enjoyed all the interesting activities and the fact that they got to hear from other adults who weren’t their teachers. They said the day had got them thinking about all the exciting opportunities ahead when they start secondary school, including the chance to make new friends.
Another activity called ‘Regret’, involved the pupils sharing a reflective moment on something they wish they had done differently during their time at school. They were then encouraged to take a dirty stone from a container and wash it clean to symbolise letting go of their regrets as they move onto the next chapter in their lives.
In an activity led by school staff, there were plenty of opportunities for the pupils to celebrate and share some of their proudest moments and most cherished memories during their seven years at school.
Katie Greene, a teacher from Riverview CofE Primary said:
“The Leavers’ Service is such an important opportunity for the children to reflect in this beautiful place of worship and be inspired by this sense of community as they get ready to move on in their education.
“The discussions today have also demonstrated to the pupils that it’s ok to have some worries about starting a new school and many are going through the same thing.”
Henry Butcher, a teaching assistant at St Martin’s CofE Primary School in Dorking said that at only 20 years old, he still remembers the transition from primary to secondary very well. He said: “The ‘regret’ activity was particularly powerful as it’s helpful to have a physical representation of the mistakes and worry that can be left behind as the children move to a new school environment.”
Rachel Mason, a teacher at Leatherhead Trinity CofE Primary School said:
“Moving to secondary school is such a massive step for our children, some of whom have been with us since nursery. It’s so important to mark that transition in a special way and reflect on how far they have come. The services have also helped the pupils make connections with other children from across the county.”
Alex Tear, Director of Education at the Diocese of Guildford said:
“The services are such a special time to bring together all our Church of England schools, give thanks for their time with us, and provide them with a spiritual and reflective space to contemplate the next exciting milestone in their young lives.
“It was wonderful to see the beautiful Cathedral and its grounds filled with excited chatter and enthusiasm of the pupils as they threw themselves into all the activities. We pray the will have a well-earned summer break and a continued fruitful education wherever they move onto.”
Jane Whittington, School and Church Partnership Advisor at the Diocese of Guildford added:
“It is a privilege to mark this important stage in the children’s lives with these special services at the cathedral. While the services are busy with hundreds of children and staff at each one, the children engage thoughtfully with the reflective activities. Feedback for teachers tells us that they find them a helpful part of transition to their new schools.”
If churches would like to do something similar with their local schools all the resources are available on the diocesan website for others to use or adapt to suit their context.