Year 5 pupils at Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School in West End designed an emblem to help represent the strong link between them and the church in serving their local community.
The emblem was the outcome of an art competition held in the last academic year (2023/24) for the pupils to design something representing the Holy Trinity that could be displayed in both the school and the church.
Holy Trinity Church held a special service back in October involving Year 6 pupils from the school, where the emblems (one for the church and one for the school) were commissioned and blessed by Revd Fiona Simon, Rector of The Church in Bisley and West End. Since then, the artwork has been proudly displayed in the church for all the congregation and visitors to see.
“It is great to have the new artwork in place at church.” Said Revd Fiona. “It reminds the whole of the congregation here of our very special link to the school and provides a focus for our prayers for them on a Sunday. It is a visible symbol to us all that we belong together - the church in the school and the school in the church, all held within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
On Friday (31 January), the Right Revd Paul Davies, Bishop of Dorking, visited Holy Trinity School to lead an assembly and unveil and bless the school’s emblem.
Bishop Paul said: “My visit to Holy Trinity School in West End was an utter joy. It was a great privilege to celebrate the stunning new emblem that we mounted on the wall. Designed by the children (and containing each of their fingerprints!), it represents the different parts of the Trinity. The most impressive thing of all is the Christian values represented in this emblem are so tangible in the school - I am so proud of them all!”
Mrs Liz Ambrose, Headteacher of Holy Trinity School, said, “It was such a pleasure to welcome Bishop Paul to Holy Trinity School and Nursery. He spoke brilliantly to the children, engaging them by sharing his mitre, shepherd’s crook and cross and explaining the meaning of each one.
“It was great that he was able to unveil our new artwork, where it now hangs proudly in our library. It is a constant reminder of the links our school and church have and the fact that we are one big family, sharing the Holy Trinity name.”
The winning designs by year 5 pupils Sam and Beth were chosen by Revd Fiona and merged by the school’s Art Lead, Mrs Hunter, to create one wonderful piece of artwork. Two canvases with the same design were then produced, and all 420 pupils and 70 staff, along with members of the church community, were invited to add their fingerprints, celebrating the connection between the two Holy Trinities.
Mrs Ambrose added, “The fingerprints symbolically represent how we are all part of a diverse community, each bringing our own colour, but together we are part of something greater than us.”