Bishop Ramsey School’s Carol Service was held on Monday, December 5th. at St Paul’s Church in Ruislip Manor. The congregation was welcomed by the vicar, Fr Michael Selby and the service opened with the carol The Holly and the Ivy sung by the school’s Canterbury Choir. There followed a reading of Psalm 89:1-4 by Noah Morris, Year 11, a joyful carol Rejoice Rejoice performed by the Year 7 Choir and a Reflection from Mr Declan Bowers from the Site Team.
During the course of the service there were occasions when the congregation could embrace the spirit of Christmas by singing popular carols including Once in royal David’s city, O come, all ye faithful and Hark! the herald angels sing. Interspersed between carols were relevant passages from the Bible read by Lydia Bosic, Year 7, Mrs Carey Betson, Trustee and finally by Dr Hilary Macaulay, Executive Headteacher, which was followed by the Sermon delivered by Rev’d Susy Dand, School Chaplain.
Two more items worthy of a mention were the beautifully haunting rendition of the carol The First Nowell performed by the Staff Choir and accompanied by Amelia Johns & the String Ensemble and a Reflection: a poem written
Calum Heanen Year 12
by Calum Heanen, Year 12, who is currently studying for A Levels in English, Religious Education and Sociology, also working on the Extended Project Qualification and who hopes to eventually become a solicitor. However, when he speaks about his writing his passion really shines through everything he says. He told me that his grandma is a poet and he has read all her poems – poetry must be in his genes! A quote from his Christmas poem reads: “If I could look down from heaven,/I wish that I would see…./ A world free from suppression,/ A place of tranquillity./ We must all work together,/ To make it a joyous Christmas for all.” A message that surely resonated with everyone present in the congregation.
It was a truly uplifting Carol Service and a credit to all the staff and students who had worked hard to make the evening such a warm experience prior to Christmas celebrations.
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