Visit by Bishop Paul Colton

We were delighted to welcome Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Colton and Mrs. Susan Colton to Bandonbridge N.S. to make his Silver Jubilee as Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Also, in attendance were Canon Denis MacCarthy, Rev. Jeremy Nicoll, Cyril Fair (chair of the Board of Management), Marie Norton (BoM), Elma Sandall (chair of the Parents Association), Ruthanna Crowley (BoM and PA), Sarah Leahy (PA) and Gemma Kingston (PA). The rain disappeared so we could gather in the courtyard for our assebly led by 6th class. The choir sang Now the Green Blade Riseth and the whole school joined in singing a special song written to mark Bishop Paul's 25 years which was accompanied by Colin Nicholls on the keyboard and 2nd class pupils on the recorder. The Bishop spoke linking our reading and poem about The Good Shepherd with his role in the diocese. Some 6th class pupils had painted a portrait of the Bishop as a gift for his office. Flowers were presented to Mrs. Colton. Members of the Student Council and 6th class helped the Bishop to plant a tree in our school garden. Refreshments were provided by the PA and served by Ms. Langford and a group of 6th class children. There was an opportunity for the pupils in 6th class to meet with Bishop Paul to ask some questions before he left to travel up to Bandon Grammar School. Bishop and Mrs. Colton got a silver jubilee chocolate mousse cake to bring home.