Alexandra College Start of School Year Service
On Wednesday 4 September, Alexandra College students from 4th class all the way up to 6th year and staff attended a start of school service in Sandford Church. Reverend Gyles led this lovely service to mark the beginning of the new school year and to bring the Alexandra College community back together after our summer break. During this gathering, many staff and students from various different years read prayers and readings, as well as having a student play a lovely violin piece by Bach. Everyone at the service sang “Shine Jesus Shine” and the school’s favourite hymn, “Jubilate.” We ended the service with the hymn “One More Step Along the World I Go” and if you’re not familiar with this hymn, it is all about new beginnings and taking the next step in life. This especially relates to the new first years entering senior school, but it also applies to all students as we move into the next school year. Thank you to all who made this service possible as we all greatly appreciate these gatherings. These services are a wonderful way to bring the school community together and we look forward to more of these gatherings throughout the year. Emily Mullan (2H)
SPNS Start of School Year Service
A service to mark the beginning of the new school year took place in Sandford Parish Church on Sunday 8 September. It was attended by parents and children from the school as well as some parishioners. Canon Gyles welcomed us all to the service, with many children reading the lessons and prayers. 6th class also wrote prayers on the following themes – our school community, those suffering from the effects of war, those less fortunate than ourselves, the homeless and our environment and the beauty of the world around us. We sang three hymns during the service, Jubilate, Father, we adore you and Shine Jesus Shine. The choir, led by Ms. Lyons, sang ‘Mind the Heart’ by Sherry Hazlett Gallen. In the sermon Canon Gyles spoke about the Olympics and how the light of the Olympic flame acts as a guide to the athletes taking part. She explained that we are all the light of the world and can guide others by our example. The service was followed by refreshments for all in the school hall. Charles Henry & Hannah O’Carroll