The Mayor of Southampton, Cllr Alex Houghton, was the guest of honour at our official library opening last week. The Y5 and Y6 children greeted him with applause and a stirring rendition of a slightly rearranged Shotgun by George Ezra (World Book Day Song) and the Mayor responded by giving the children an inspiring speech about the importance of reading and how he was himself a library monitor when he was at school.
We also had professional footballers Kayla Rendell and Phoebe Williams from the Southampton Ladies FC who spoke to the children about how they completed their education to a high standard while playing professional football.
Our new school choir, returning after the pandemic, sang a beautiful song about the power of music, conducted by Mrs Thomas.
Then it was off upstairs for the official opening ceremony.
The Mayor cut the ribbon and we dedicated the wall-hanging to the memory of much-loved Deputy Headteacher Mrs Katharine Hill. Fr Ross blessed the library, able assisted by Mrs Conway (School Librarian) and sprinkled the assembled guests, which included Robert Dare, Deputy Director of Education for the Diocese, and Stephen Hardman, Diocesan Surveyor.
Finally a group photo and then 2 of our children presented the Mayor with one of their artistic creations. The Mayor and the footballers then went to visit the classes and skillfully answered the children's questions.
This was our first in-person event since the pandemic and was a great way for the whole school and community to celebrate such an important occasion. The children now have a comfortable and inviting space in which to read. A big thank you to Mrs Conway and her assistant, Mrs O'Neil for their outstanding efforts in setting up the library.