New Sports Hall and Performing Arts Block at St Marylebone CofE School

24/09/07

The Bishop of London celebrated the first school Eucharist of term and gave the address to St Marylebone School. The service celebrated the beginning of the new school year and the blessing of the new five storey sports hall and performing arts block which was officially opened just last Thursday by Lord Puttnam.

On Monday 17 September, the entire school of 900 students assembled at St Marylebone Parish Church for the Bishop’s address and were joined by the parish clergy of St Marylebone parish, Tom Peryer, Director of the London Diocesan Board for schools and Margaret Mountford, chair of the school governors and of the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’.

After the service, a corps of African drums played by students of the school lead Bishop Richard, the school governors and the school council, made up of class representatives, down Marylebone High Street and into the new school yard. Bishop Richard blessed the school’s performing arts block and then descended into the underground sports hall and blessed it also.

Founded in 1791, St Marylebone Church of England School is a multi-faith comprehensive school for girls aged from eleven to eighteen. Situated in Marylebone High Street, the school has a reputation as a thriving specialist Arts, Music, Drama and Dance college. It was decided to extend the school’s facilities and building began 4 years ago to cater for the growing numbers in the school. St Marylebone School’s new facilities, including a sports hall, music rooms and dance studio, will further reinforce the excellent reputation it enjoys within the local area and across London.

Assistant Priest of St Marylebone Parish Church, The Revd Paul Thomas said:

“We are delighted with the new facilities available in St Marylebone School and believe these will provide more opportunities for the students of today and of the future.”