Bishop of Lancaster visits St Augustine's Catholic Primary School to bless the schools new entrance
See the images from the official opening ceremony below.
Last week, the Bishop of Lancaster visited St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School in Preston to bless the school's new entrance at its official opening ceremony.
Held on Thursday January 27, Rt Rev Paul Swarbrick, Bishop of Lancaster blessed the new entrance, supported by Fr Simon Hawksworth, Parish Priest of St John XXIII Parish, of which the school belongs.
The entrance, which was designed to reflect the Catholic ethos of the school, was then officially opened by Terry May, whom it is named after in recognition of his 20 years’ service to the school as a teacher and a further 26 years as a Governor.
St Augustine’s recently had the new extension built at the front of the school to improve the safety and security for the children, and it includes a waiting area the children cannot access, a private, secure meeting room, and a new electronic sign in system.
The ceremony was also attended by representatives from the diocese; children from the Upper Junior classes, Worship Leaders and Head Boy and Girl from the
school; staff and governors; and former Headteacher, Mrs Angela Pye, along with her husband, Michael Pye, who also taught at the school.
The day included a welcome from the school’s Assistant Head Teachers, Mrs Elaine Goulding and Mrs Lindsey Walsh, a selection of hymns sung by Upper Junior classes, a gospel Reading by Fr Simon, a reflection on this lead by the Bishop, and prayers lead by the school’s Year 6 Worship Leaders, whilst the school’s Vice Chair of Governors, Mr Andrew Dawson, also thanked all involved in the project.
The entrance, which was designed to reflect the Catholic ethos of the school, was then officially opened by Terry May, whom it is named after in recognition of his 20 years’ service to the school as a teacher and a further 26 years as a Governor.
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The Bishop with the school's year 3 class; he spoke to the children in all the classes and concluded his visit by meeting members of the teaching and support staff.
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The design was drawn up by the school’s Chair of Governors, David Cox of David Cox Architects and includes a vaulted ceiling, large windows and the large cross on the roof.
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As part of the works the school now has a main entrance where visitors can wait in an area that is away from where the children can access.
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Following the ceremony visitors and governors met with the Bishop for refreshments which included a specially commissioned cake decorated with the school badge.