A PRIMARY school opened a new extension with a visit from the Bishop of Sherborne.

Dr Graham Kings made his first visit to Buckland Newton Primary School for the opening ceremony of its new office and pre-school.

Bishop Graham spent time with the children in each class, answering their questions and even playing basketball.

Nicola Ralph, headteacher, said: “The bishop hadn’t been to the school before and he wanted to spend some time with the children before the event.

“When he arrived the basketball net was up and he just started playing.

“He really was amazing with the children, giving everyone time and listening to what they had to say.”

There was also a Wassail celebration led by Rev Jonathan Still and attended by parent, governors, and members of the community.

During the ceremony on Friday, January 6 everyone toasted the school’s apple trees and shared an Epiphany cake.

“For the Wassail we went outside, the children had to bring something from home that they could bang and at the given point they had to make lots of noise to scare the insects away from the apple trees so good fruit will grow,” said Mrs Ralph.

“Then we toasted the trees with little glasses of apple juice, went back inside and ate Epiphany cake.”

She added: “Inside the cake was hidden three corn kernels and the children who found them acted out the three kings story of epiphany.

“One of the boys doing it swapped his crown with the bishop’s hat.”

Finally Bishop Graham opened the new school buildings, housing the new school office and pre-school.

Mrs Ralph said: “The new office is mainly for the safety of the children, now visitors can be kept there and can’t get into the school without going through reception.

“All the doors are coded and will keep everyone safe.”

The school is now able to host a breakfast club and will also be able to develop its Forest School programme.

Mrs Ralph added: “It’s all new and very exciting and it was nice for the children to have the Wassail ceremony alongside the opening and combine the two.

“It could have been a bit dry and boring for them on but this has turned it into a celebration which they won’t forget, they were all talking about it for days afterwards.”