Bishop plants trees to mark school’s birthday (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bishop plants trees to mark school’s birthday

2:30pm Thursday 9th March 2006

• Print
• Email
• Share

SHERSTON School celebrated its first birthday last Thursday with a helping hand from the Bishop of Swindon.

The Rt Rev Dr Lee Rayfield cut a birthday cake, presented sports prizes and planted two trees at the new £1.2 million village school.

He would also have liked to the school's new fitness trail, but the weather was too frosty.

Headteacher Nick Bowditch said it was a wonderful way to mark the first year in the new building.

He said: "It all went very well. The Bishop gave an assembly where he talked about preparing for Lent.

"Then we cut a massive birthday cake and the whole school had a piece."

As a runner, the Bishop was particularly pleased to present certificates for a cross country race.

The 49-year-old clergyman is a member of an athletics club and competes in track competitions over 200m to 1,500m.

He also runs in cross-country contests, plays tennis, football and occasional rounds of golf.

Dr Rayfield finally helped plant two trees in the school grounds an ash and a birch after two of our classes."

It was the Bishop's first visit to the school, and members of the school council gave him a guided tour.

The building was officially opened last February after the school moved from its old High Street premises.

• Print
• Email
• Share