The service to mark the beginning of the academic year took place in the Parish Church on the evening of Sunday 8 September, with boarding pupils, parents, staff and their families attending. Everyone joined together to acknowledge Education Sunday - a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in education - and reflect on the College’s motto Exemplum Docet, ‘The examples teaches’.
Hymns, ‘Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You’, ‘Make Me a Channel Of Your Peace’, and ‘In Christ Alone’ were sung enthusiastically. The Head and Deputy Head Chapel Wardens, S Burnand and C Bradshaw, read readings from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans, and the Gospel of St Matthew, and Chapel Steward L Sauboua, led the prayers.
The new ‘Rev’, the Revd Chris Briggs, spoke about the importance of example in teaching, where pupils and teachers learn from each other. He explained how Jesus’ own style of teaching was very much by example as he ‘taught’ others to love like him, care like him, and give their whole lives for others. In his talk the Rev illustrated teaching by example by demonstrating pushing a paper drinking straw through a potato. This was very successful. Less so was the example of pushing a kebab stick through an inflated balloon. Unfortunately all of the balloons popped and the whole event went off with a bang!
The service concluded with refreshments in the OVR. The event was a lovely way to spend a beautiful late summer's evening.
The next Sunday evening offering in the Parish Church will be a harvest themed service for new pupils and their parents on Sunday 6 October at 7.00pm. All are welcome.
