EIGHT children from year five of St John’s Church of England Primary School, Wellington, have been commissioned as pupil chaplains for 2023-24.

A special commissioning ceremony took place in St John’s Church during the school’s harvest festival.

The children, who had volunteered for the role, made their promises in front of the whole school, watched by family and friends.

The promises had been created during their training.

Each chaplain was presented with an olive wood cross, a badge, and certificate.

The previous pupil chaplains then ceremonially handed over their tabards and received a certificate thanking them for their service.

The Rev Mike Haslam, chaplaincy adviser to the Diocese of Bath and Wells, led the celebration, praying for the new pupil chaplains and thanking the retiring ones for their dedication.

The service was also blessed by the church’s new priest-in-charge the Rev Colin Simpson.

A St John’s School spokesperson said: “Pupil chaplains have a special responsibility to care for the school and live by the school values, showing respect, service, compassion, endurance, and friendship, while having a lot of fun serving the local community and presenting Bible stories in assemblies.

“Pupil chaplains have now supported our school for a number of years and it is a very special and important role for our school.

“They strive to help all students and staff, and share joy and hope in our community.”