Shine So Bright

‘The Big Leavers Service’ will be launched at 1pm on Friday 10th July and will take the form of a video ‘service’ of about 45 minutes involving clergy and colleagues from across the diocese. There will be music, singing, art and drama as RISE Theatre tell the story of The Mustard Seed.

The message includes how it is important to grow strong roots and to be grounded by our Christian values learned at school, keeping us steady in our lives as we move on.

The children and young people watching will be encouraged to be "an incredible, unique you." In a specially written prayer involving colleagues from across the diocese, they will be encouraged to “Shine so bright” as they step out along their journey.

Nicola Coupe from our Board of Education said:

“It has been a joy to work on this project with the Cathedral and Minster teams, as well as clergy and colleagues across the diocese. Our aim is to provide an engaging and interactive service that marks this special time in pupils’ lives. It will be able to be watched from ‘anywhere’, so children in school with their teachers can watch it alongside those who are at home with their families.

“There may even be members of a family watching it in another country! We may not be together at the Cathedral or Minster as we have been in past years, but we will be ‘together, apart’. Our especial thanks go to Sarum St Michael’s Education Charity for helping us to fund the project.”

At the end of June, the Diocesan Board of Education will be sending out a resources pack to support schools in their preparation for taking part. This will include a craft activity to create a shield which shows some of the learning they will be taking with them on their journey, as well as a reflective activity to give time to looking at their hopes and prayers for the future.

The pack will also contain a link to resources from RISE Theatre that will help in the learning of the songs and drama moves that will form a part of the virtual leavers' service.

The Big Leavers' Service will include a blessing from Bishop Nicholas and an encouragement prayer filmed by clergy and colleagues at the Cathedral, Minster and Board of Education.

Nicola added:

"We do hope as many people as possible will join in on 10th July at 1pm, and share where they are as they mark this occasion for so many young people as they prepare to move onto the next step in their lives."