Banner links old and new

The 30 children from Walber-ton CE Primary School marched with the banner at Chichester Cathedral at an annual leavers' service on Monday.

The metre high and 80cm wide standard had been dedicated just ten days earlier in the school in a further event at the eye-catching premises to mark their first year in use.

The banner was a gift from St Mary's Church in Walber-ton.

It was presented to the school in family assembly by the village's vicar, the Rev Tim Ward, and Andrew Blumer, one of the churchwardens.

Archdeacon, the Ven Douglas McKittrick, from the diocese, dedicated the banner.

Pupils Christopher Harvey (12) and Amber Westron (8) accepted the banner on behalf of the children and formally thanked the church for the gift.

The banner's story began last June when the school was preparing to move into its new premises after the summer holiday.

The older pupils were asked to design the banner using the symbols from the old school badge.

These were a cross and a book to represent the school's foundation as a church school and its role for learning and using the Bible as a guide for life. The present badge of a tree was also to be included.

Headteacher Mo Shilliday believed the competition would give the children, who were about to leave, a lasting presence in the school they had seen being built.

The selected design was created by Kasandra Bull.

It was forwarded to ecclesiastical designer Polly Meynell to turn into the finished banner.

Kasandra, now at St Philip Howard Catholic High School in Barnham, returned for the dedication.