Bishop returns to Packwood

10th February, 2010

The Right Reverend Mark Rylands, the recently appointed Bishop of Shrewsbury, has paid a visit to Packwood, the prep school that he attended as a boy.

Senior Master, Howard Bourne, who taught Geography to Bishop Mark during his time at Packwood in the 1970s, invited him to take morning assembly in the school theatre on Tuesday 9th February. The Bishop spoke to children and staff on the subject of selecting a team and working together - about how Jesus chose his disciples despite shortcomings and weaknesses in their characters and yet how they still made a strong and effective team. During his visit Bishop Mark also looked in on a Religious Studies class and went on a tour of the school with the Head Boy, Henry Don and the Head Girl, Laura Cooke.

It was his first visit for almost thirty years but he remembered vividly many aspects of his schooldays. He particularly enjoyed seeing which parts of the school were unchanged and which buildings had been added since his days as a pupil. He was especially impressed with the Theatre, the Sports Hall and the outstanding Art and CDT facilities.