It is a privilege to be the Vicar and Ex-Officio Governor of Gainford CofE Primary School, to add to this school’s wonderful legacy as a place of love and learning. The close and lively relationship between St Mary’s Church and the school testifies to our Christian responsibility to care for the whole school community: the children, parents and families, teachers and staff. We have been recognised nationally as pioneers of the Growing Faith Foundation for the way we are partnering as school, church, and with households. As an Honorary Canon of Durham Cathedral and of Durham Diocese with a special role to develop Pilgrimage, I hope to stir up the spirit of the pilgrim in our children – to explore God’s created world, to discover their gifts and talents, to be filled with hope and inspired by wonder, to shine the light of Jesus by acts of love towards others, as they journey through life each moment, each day, and year on year. Coming from a south-east Asian Chinese heritage and with a prior career advising companies across the globe, I am happy to share experiences of the world beyond this beautiful part of County Durham. I commend to everyone this excellent school where every child’s flourishing is our joy.
Rev’d Canon Eileen Harrop