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St Francis Catholic Primary School welcomed a special visitor to the newly created prayer garden at the South Ascot School.  Bishop Philip Egan of the Portsmouth Diocese visited the school as part of a tour of the schools in his Diocese to meet pupils, staff and governors. Year Three pupil, Dominic West said, "I was fascinated to see how he blessed the prayer garden. It made me feel special." 

The garden was inspired by the school council's wish to create a peaceful place for pupils to say prayers for family members and friends who are ill. They asked that it should include a bench for restful reflection, a statue of St Francis and a place where prayers could be displayed for others to share. They also wanted the garden to be at the heart of the school so that it was accessible to all pupils.

 
Head teacher Mrs Jane Gow said the garden was built with sponsorship from Bewley Homes who are working near the school at present and constructed by landscaping company Inhurst.  Mrs Gow said the school community were extremely grateful to both companies for bringing the concept of the prayer garden to reality, and to the Bishop for blessing it.