Northbourne Park School annual pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral

On Sunday 28th April, 43 senior pupils from Northbourne Park School enjoyed their annual 15 mile/24 km pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral.

School Chaplain Revd Nigel Hale started the proceedings with a blessing at the school, after which the children set off across the Kent fields, bound for Canterbury Cathedral.

The Pilgrimage is a special event in the school calendar as it provides the children the opportunity to reflect on their past years at the school before they depart and plan for next year in their new schools. It also gives them the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful Kent countryside taking them along the original pilgrims’ path to Canterbury. Although slightly cloudy, the weather conditions were ideal for walking and the children took the opportunity to collect litter in the hedgerows whilst they visited local churches along the way.

The Pilgrimage concluded at Canterbury Cathedral, where the children were met by family, friends and staff. Following a short service by Revd Father Nigel Hale in the beautiful crypt of Canterbury Cathedral, the children returned to school to enjoy a very well deserved supper.

Mark Horton, Outdoor Education said: ‘Congratulations to all the children and staff who completed this year’s pilgrimage. It was great to see such fine displays of great determination – both mental and physical – and it gave everyone an insight in to how exhausting it was many years ago for the original pilgrims.’