On Friday 1st June, two year 6 classes from The Batt School Witney embarked on a pilgrimage around Witney and the nearby Lake and country park. One class walked the pilgrimage in the morning, we all had lunch with an act of Collective Worship together in the church and the second class walked the pilgrimage in the afternoon.
The theme of the pilgrimage was transitions. As we left school we thought about all that we were thankful for and we stopped outside one of the secondary schools in Witney on the way. In the church we reflected by the Batt family memorial that provides the school vision to ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’ (Luke 10:27)
Behind the church is The Leys which leads to the Witney Lake and country park. In these spaces we had an opportunity to stop and pray and reflect on seeing and hearing nature, water as well as thinking about our worries and strengths.
We walked together as a class but at each stopping point split into smaller groups to spend some time reflecting and praying on the suggested activities. Each child had a booklet that they could follow along with their group leader.
Children and adults appreciated the time to think about moving on, spending some time outside in nature and visiting the church, saying:
I really enjoyed the walk because it made me stop and think about things and I think it really helped me to worry less about going to secondary school and the transition there.
Freya
When we were doing the walk it was fun and interesting. Discussing about secondary school and moving up made me fell slightly less worried and was helpful. I think it was pretty good seeing and learning more about the stories on the glass. It was very enjoyable. Sebastian
I loved going on this pilgrimage because I felt calm and relaxed. It also helped me to remember that I won’t always find secondary school easy, but that it will work out in the end. I also learned never to worry about something for a long time because it might not actually happen. Leonie
I really enjoyed our pilgrimage. It was good how we got to stop, listen, respect our world around us, off devices and tech. It helped me to share my worries and to focus on secondary school. Thank you. Erin
I thought it was so lovely to focus the pilgrimage on transition for year 6, at the start of this term. The reflection stops were perfect and they led to good discussions. I really enjoyed this morning and it made the walk focussed and got the children to stop and look. Thank you for all your careful planning …. It was brilliant this morning and I can keep coming back to this, this term.
Mrs Henderson – Yr 6 teacher.
