Local school gets a visit from a celebrity
On the 3rd
May, The Archbishop of Canterbury arrived in Southam to visit St. James C.E. Primary School where he had sent his children and was once a governor. When he arrived, he had a warm welcome from the Worship Team (Freya, Thomas, Dan and Ioney) and from Reception before he met many members of the local community.
After a warm welcome from a selected few children, The Archbishop of Canterbury proceeded through to a thoughtfully planned service. To open the assembly, Freya (part of the Worship Team) lit the candle before one of the headteachers, Mrs King, took over. As a special gift for Justin Welby, Mr King made him a crozier from local resources which he is keen to use at Lambeth Palace.
Next came a challenge: several children had prepared taxing questions for the Archbishop of Canterbury to answer. Mrs Welby took all of the lime-light answering one question from Jasmine in Year 5, ‘How did you feel when you got the job?’ Making all of the guests laugh, she explained the ‘phone call which went on forever saying “hello” and “I’ve got it!” At first, she did not know what he had got but then she realised.
Four children from Year 6 were also chosen to say prayers or readings. The two prayers were thoughtfully written by Jack and Minnie and clearly read by Ioney and Thomas. Finally, Rebecca and Chloe read a complex reading from The Bible.
When The Archbishop of Canterbury left, he said, “It has been a pleasure to return and I wish to come back again.” As he left, the path was lined with Year 6 forming a guard of honour. Many of the children will remember this visit for life.