Year 7 Dedication Service

It is tradition for The Friary to celebrate and acknowledge each new Year 7 cohort joining the school with a service at Lichfield Cathedral. 

Parents, carers and family members braved the autumnal weather to join us, and it was fantastic to see so many supportive faces as students took in the afternoon service.

This is an opportunity for reflection on the opportunities which lie ahead of our most recent arrivals at The Friary, as well as a chance for older students to model high aspirations and the wide possibilities which lie ahead. The Head Girl and Boy, Hannah G and Alex M, each spoke about their experience at The Friary so far, and about the importance of resilience, hard work and getting fully involved in school life. (Hannah also gave a formal reading as part of the service.) 

There was a superb musical performance by Maisie B, accompanied by Caleb C, before the school choir and orchestra filled the Cathedral with joyful performances of A Million Dreams and Dare to Dream, respectively.

Indeed, over a hundred students supported the Dedication Service, doing Mr Hood and Mr Bennett proud by representing The Friary's Performing Arts Department with aplomb.

Year 7 themselves, who've started their Friary careers so well, looked incredibly smart in their uniforms and their behaviour was a credit to the school. Beatrix B and Frankie P represented the views of their peers by speaking confidently about their first experiences at The Friary.

In keeping with tradition, there was a short speech by the Headteacher before the formal Dedication, after which the service closed with a blessing offered by the Canon.

We would like to thank Reverend Canon Gregory Platten for leading proceedings, and the Dean and Chapter at the Cathedral for making us feel so welcome, both during the service itself and throughout rehearsals earlier in the day.

Mr Drury, Headteacher, said: "The Dedication Service is a wonderful school tradition and Lichfield Cathedral is a special place. I know it was a memorable afternoon both for students, as well as the many proud parents and family members who were able to join us."