New Chad Varah Primary School opens celebrating life of Samaritans founder

New Chad Varah Primary School opens celebrating life of Samaritans founder

New Chad Varah Primary School opensFriday 13 November 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Claire Duncan         

Phone: +44 (0)20 8394 8345

Email: Out of hours press phone: +44 (0)7943 809162

The brand new Chad Varah Primary School in Lincoln opened yesterday, Thursday 12 November, in memory of Samaritans founder Reverend Dr Chad Varah, on what would have been his 98th birthday.

The School was formed by the merge of Myle Cross Junior School and St Giles Infant School as part of the council’s merging Primary Schools initiative.

The school was named the Chad Varah Primary School, in memory the Reverend of who was the parish priest of St Giles, Lincoln, in 1935 as the new school encompasses many of the values that were important to Dr Varah. The new school consists of 440 pupils who have access to a new IT suite, a sports centre and modern classrooms.

The day of festivities included a ceremony at St Giles Church with a welcoming from Lady Sarah McCorquodale -Sherriff of Lincolnshire and a performance of the school’s rock musical ‘The Chad Varah Story’. Also speaking at the official opening was one of Reverend Dr Chad Varah’s daughters, Felicity Varah Harding. The celebrations concluded with a street party and a firework display. 

Talking at the opening, Headmistress at the Chad Varah Primary School, Julie Harrison said: “It has been a momentous occasion and a day that will remain part of the school’s history. I would like to say a massive thank you to Felicity Varah Harding, it was a real honour that she was here to join in the celebrations and pay tribute to her father, whose legacy will remain at our school forever.”

Felicity Varah Harding added: "It has been a great pleasure and a privilege to be involved with the new school opening. Supporting young people was extremely important to my father. After all, helping people was the basis on which he built Samaritans. I know my father would be incredibly proud of the school, its staff and all the children.”

Felicity Varah Harding and Head Teacher Mrs Harrison
Felicity Varah Harding and Head Teacher Mrs Harrison

 

Felicity Varah Harding, Lady Sarah McCorquodale -Sherriff of Lincolnshire, and Head Teacher Mrs Harrison
Felicity Varah Harding, Lady Sarah McCorquodale -Sherriff of Lincolnshire, and Head Teacher Mrs Harrison

 

Felicity Varah Harding and pupils
Felicity Varah Harding and pupils of the Chad Varah Primary School

 

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Samaritans

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