HUNDREDS of children from our church schools packed into our cathedral for services to mark their transition to secondary school.

The Year 6 pupils from 38 church schools in our diocese enjoyed mornings of workshops before an act of worship that marked the climax of our education team’s annual project – entitled Bags of Hope.

The Paddington-themed project aimed to raise awareness about displaced people, by encouraging pupils from CofE schools to reflect on the significance of a backpack. These small bags may represent the entire life of a migrant who has to quickly pack their possessions as they flee from conflict or persecution in their home country.

The 11-year-old pupils were encouraged to study the experiences of displaced people during the year at school. That includes Jesus, whose family were refugees in Egypt when Herod ordered the slaughter of recently-born children. The link to Paddington Bear was also encouraged, as he came from Peru and needed support to thrive in London.

Pupils filled in luggage labels at school, sometimes including QR codes that would link to their schoolwork. These luggage labels were then placed with Paddington Bears and backpacks in art installations in our cathedral.

Our Leavers’ Services have been running for four consecutive days this week, with different schools attending on different days. Similar services took place for church schools in Winchester diocese last week. Schools brought their banners which were paraded up and down the aisle at the start and end of the services.

Our director of education Jeff Williams introduced the theme, telling children the names of famous people who were refugees, including singers Rita Ora and Freddie Mercury. Children sang songs including ‘My Lighthouse’ and ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’, and then helped to lead the prayers. One adult and one child from each school was presented with a candle, which can be lit during the forthcoming year during collective worship.

And Bishop Ian Brackley, one of our honorary assistant bishops, was able to make a link between the experiences of these Year 6 children and the displaced people that the project was focussing on.

He said: “Refugees come from different parts of the globe, and often from difficult situations, but they come with someone to offer us, some gifts and experiences that will help us.

“You are also leaving your primary school and may also feel as if you are like refugees, moving to a brand new place, perhaps with some of the same anxieties. But you also have something to offer as yourselves in this new place.”