Bishop John launches Davison Bi-Centenary Celebrations

The Bi-Centenary Celebration Service on 25th January was a wonderful beginning to a celebratory year at Davison High School, marking 1812 as the year in which the Reverend William Davison, Chaplain of the Chapel of Ease, later named St Paul's Church, established one of the first free schools in the country!

Staff, parents, governors and Davison Girls past and present were joined by Her Worship the Mayor of Worthing Councillor Ann Barlow, Dame Sheila Wallis and many friends of the school, filling St. George's Church for a Service of celebration and thanksgiving, led by the Rt. Rev. Dr. John Hind, Bishop of Chichester and Reverend Brian Penfold. Bishop John gave a moving talk which focussed on St.Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Mr Ray Oxenbridge, Chair of Governors, is the driving force behind the Bi-Centenary celebrations and he masterminded the service, determined to celebrate all that Davison stands for.

The school which became Davison started life as a school for the poor boys of the parish in a barn in Cook's Row off the High Street, with girls admitted soon after opening. Its impact was seen locally as having 'the good effect of clearing the streets from all the unruly children so much complained of by visitants'. In 1854 the school moved to purpose built premises in Chapel Road, named then as a lasting memorial to the Reverend Davison, whose drive and vision enabled the school to be built. The school was rebuilt in 1924 and enlarged soon after, when it became a Senior Church School for Girls.

The school moved to its present site in 1960 with various buildings having been added over the years. Originally built for 300 there are today 1085 Davison girls.

them, and to celebrate the partnerships of the school with church, county and business working together to provide a high quality education for girls now and into the future. And finally to celebrate each and every Davison girl whatever her chosen path in life and her achievements for her family and her community, wherever in the world that might be, whilst looking forward to continuing the work for the next two hundred years.

The service included musical items by an instrumental ensemble and the school chamber choir, who performed a moving version of 'How Can I keep from Singing' , and by organist Mr John Collins, who performed a Voluntary by William Russell, composed in 1812. A drama group performed an improvisation using the headmistresses diaries from 1854-1900. A collection was taken raising £293 to support Chestnut Tree House Children's Hospice, the school's chosen charity for the Bi-Centenary events.

The congregation were invited to return to the school for afternoon tea, supported by the school's caterers Innovate and were treated to music and dance items and tours of the school by student leaders.

The decorative quilt produced to mark the Bi-Centenary was on display in the church for the first time and much admired by the visitors.

Mrs West said, 'Today has been the most wonderful beginning to what will certainly be an eventful year. I am honoured and humbled to be the leader of such a wonderful team of staff, students, governors and parents who work so hard together to make this a school to be proud of. The service was very moving and I hope an inspiration to all who attended: I have been overwhelmed with compliments and congratulations. It was very fitting to begin our celebrations with the church but we are a school for all faiths or none. Davison welcomes girls from families across Worthing and Adur.'