Liverpool Cathedral hosts leavers’ service celebration
by Educate Magazine July 6, 2017 · Gallery
Liverpool Cathedral was once again brought to life with vibrant colour and energy as hundreds of schoolchildren attended the annual school leavers’ services that took place over four days.
95 schools and 3088 children in total took part in the celebratory services for Year 6 pupils across the Diocese of Liverpool.
Traditional services were lead by Bishop Cyril Ashton and Rev Paul Robinson followed by eucharistic services with Bishop Richard Blackburn and Bishop Paul Bayes.
A procession of colourful banners held proudly by the children made its way from the well of the Cathedral through the nave before each service was held to mark pupils’ transition from primary to secondary school.
During the ceremonies, workers from local charity Y Kids led the children in song and dance before a representative from each school brought forward a prayer to hang on the prayer tree and their gift of thanksgiving. The children have been raising funds for Water Aid this year and so far they have raised a superb £4,652 with more still to come in before a final total is announced.
Some pupils took part in transition workshops prior to the services run by Liverpool Cathedral’s education department, Scripture Union and Y Kids. Using drama/role-play, music and reflection as the main focus the workshops provided pupils with a toolkit for their transition to secondary school focusing on friendships, myth busting and supporting the theme of ‘Moving on’.
Fr Richard Peers, director of education at the Diocese of Liverpool said: “These are my first school leavers’ services since being appointed director of education – and what tremendous occasions they are for all involved!
“I am delighted that over the four services, 3088 Year 6 pupils, along with parents, staff and clergy joined together in worship at the Cathedral. These services give us the collective opportunity to celebrate in worship and give prayerful thanks for the children as their time at primary school ends, and they prepare for moving on to secondary school”.
