This week, more than 2,000 pupils from across the diocese have taken part in the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Education primary school leavers’ service at Salisbury Cathedral.
It has been a chance to celebrate and reflect on their first years of school, and prepare for the move to secondary school in September.
As part of the service, the Revd Canon Ross Meikle, Missioner for Young People at the Cathedral, led an interactive soundscape based on the parable of the wise and foolish builders, and concluded by constructing a lighthouse containing each school's values.
The services included prayers written by the children and were led by the Acting Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Revd Karen Gorham, the Dean of Salisbury, Nick Papadopulos, the Archdeacon of Sherborne, Penny Sayer and the Archdeacon of Wilts, Louise Ellis. A moment of stillness followed with candlelight along the aisles as children ‘passed the light’ between them, representing Jesus, the light of the world, being carried with them always.