The annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools, held in St Peter’s Church, Bandon on Thursday, 28th September, was attended by nearly 600 pupils and teachers from the twenty-one primary schools in the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

A ‘full house’ in St Peter’s Church Bandon for the Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools

The Service commenced with the ringing of the Diocesan School Bell by the Bishop, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, who presided at the Service, and he led the children in the annual ‘Shout of Praise.’  Banners from every school were presented, and children from all of the schools took part.

Some of the clergy from the parishes with primary schools, together with the Bishop.

This year’s theme was ‘Celebrating our Talents’.  The sermon featured a ‘Diocesan Talent Contest’ hosted by Mr Peter Stobart, Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, and the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne.  The collection was donated to the Cork, Cloyne and Ross Diocesan Project to support improved maize production in Burundi, in partnership with the Anglican Church of Burundi and Christian Aid.   To a joyous cacophony of all the bells ringing together at the end of the Service, the children and teachers went back to school to continue the new school year, some stopping for picnics on the way home.

And a gallery of photos of the occasion: