The Junior School began Lent with a service of worship for Ash Wednesday in St Mary’s Church, Bourne Street. Together we remembered that Lent is a time to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us, and many girls in Years 4-6, staff and parents came forward during the service to receive the symbol of the cross in ash on their forehead. A highlight of the service was singing the catchy Love is Something if you Give it Away – complete with enthusiastic actions from the girls.

This year, I challenged the girls not to give something up for Lent, but rather to take something up that helps us grow in our love for God and his world. Our Year 5s and 6s came up with some ideas of what they might take up: these included reading the Bible for five minutes a day, praying daily, donating to charity regularly through Lent and using paper more sparingly.

As they left church, each pupil was given a heart made from wildflower seed paper. They are encouraged to plant these in a pot of earth and as they do so, to pray that God would help them grow in their love for him and his world this Lent.

Revd. van der Hart, School Chaplain