Pupils from across South Wales will gather at Llandaff Cathedral this week to celebrate what many may look back on as the “best years of their life”.
More than 500 Year Six pupils who have just a week or so left in primary school will take part in a school-leavers service led by the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, on Tuesday (July 12).
They will take with them school banners and personal mementoes to remind them of their years spent in primary school. Then they will join together in prayers and reflections as they prepare for the giant leap up to secondary school in September.
The pupils come from 23 Church in Wales schools across the Diocese of Llandaff – from Aberdare to Neath, Pendoylan to Grangetown. They will be joined by their parish priests who are regular visitors at the school, helping out in lessons and with services and assemblies.
The Archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan said, “It’s tremendous to have church schools come together at the Cathedral to mark this important stepping stone for so many children. This service will be an opportunity for them to pause and reflect on their whole experience of primary school and their expectations for the future. It will also remind them that they are part of a large church family which will help and support them right through school, regardless of whether they are top or bottom of the class.”
Revd Edwin Counsell, director for education for Llandaff Diocese, said, “This is a very special event because it brings together children from schools across the Llandaff Diocese. Year Six is an exciting time with lots of new responsibilities and interesting things to learn. It is also tinged with sadness, because children will be saying goodbye to friends and teachers who they have known throughout their time in school. This service looks back at their years in primary school and also looks to the future as they prepare for new schools, new friends, new challenges and new opportunities.”
The service starts at 10.30am. After the service the pupils will walk to Llandaff City Church in Wales Primary School for a picnic and games.
