The pupils at King Ina Church of England Academy in Somerton have been enjoying their brand-new school since the beginning of term. It’s a wonderful new space which brings together the pre-school, Infant and Junior schools. This week they had the first opportunity to share their new building with some of the people who have helped and supported the school community over many years to plan, design, build, and shape it.Bishop Ruth enjoyed a tour of the school and took part in a special celebration assembly. She encouraged the children to ‘recognise that there is so much in our world to be thankful for’ and to 'remember that at school, we plant the seeds of our future life and with God’s blessing upon all of us, like a tree we grow bigger and stronger.’
The new school has provision for 14 primary classes and more than three hundred pupils. In addition to a pre-school, it has a sports field, a nature garden and a multi-use games area. So, it is no surprise that when asked what their favourite part of the school was, the children replied, ‘the playing field and outdoor sports area’. A stained glass window designed by some of the teachers to represent the schools values, sits at the heart of the building.
Bishop Ruth presented the Headteacher Mrs Svenson with a commemorative plaque to mark the official opening and also took with her an extra special present - a broadleaf tree. The tree was given to all Bishops of the Church of England by Forestry England. These will be planted across 42 dioceses to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. And as the Bishop Norwich, Graham Usher, lead Bishop for the Environment, said “They will also be symbols of our joint commitment to pray, speak out and take action to ensure that we work together in our communities for climate justice in Jesus’s name.”
Bishop Ruth chose to plant her tree in a school to remind us that as we care and nurture our children so we must care and nurture God’s world in which they live.