Hundreds of Year 6 pupils from Church of England schools across the Diocese of Oxford gathered at Christ Church Cathedral on 11 June for the annual ODBE School Leavers’ Service.
Representing 15 diocesan schools, the children came together to mark the end of their primary school journey and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges of secondary school. The service was organised by the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education team, who welcomed pupils, staff and families from across the diocese for a morning of worship, celebration and encouragement.
The service, led by the Rt Revd Dave Bull, Bishop of Buckingham, was shaped around Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:16:
“Let your light shine before others.”
Pupils processed into the cathedral carrying handmade school banners as the congregation sang Here I Am to Worship. A reading from Matthew 5 was given by a pupil from Winslow Church of England School, while pupils from St Edburg’s Church of England School, Bicester, later read from John 8:12-20.
Bishop Dave led the prayers for the pupils as they embark on a new chapter in their life, before the congregation joined together in singing Shine, Jesus, Shine, reflecting the service’s theme of light, hope and encouragement.
In his sermon, Bishop Dave compared the excitement and uncertainty of moving to secondary school with the anticipation people feel before the World Cup, which kicked off on the same day. He shared a story about exploring caves in complete darkness.
“The weird thing was almost straight away I had no idea which way we were going,” he said. “I just felt completely confused.”
He suggested that starting secondary school can sometimes feel the same way.
“Secondary school might feel confusing - what you need is a light.”
Reflecting on his own experience of arriving at Christ Church Cathedral for the first time as a bishop just last year, Bishop Dave spoke about how unfamiliar situations can feel daunting. He reminded pupils that when Jesus says “I am the light of the world,” he offers guidance and hope for times when life feels uncertain.
“When Jesus says ‘I am the light of the world’, what he’s holding out to you and to me is something that can help us when we are confused and guide us when we are lost. That will remain true for the whole of the rest of your life.”
He concluded with a prayer that the children would never forget what they had learned during their time at their Church schools and that they would know God’s presence with them as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
The service concluded with each school receiving a special commemorative candle to take back to their community, symbolising the theme of light that had run throughout the morning. Pupils then joined Bishop Dave for a celebratory photoshoot in the cathedral, creating lasting memories of the occasion before they move on to secondary school in September.
View a gallery of photographs from the day on the Diocese of Oxford Facebook page.