St Benedict's 120th anniversary sculpture

St Benedict's has unveiled a new sculpture and atrium to mark the school's 120th anniversary.

A reception to mark the event – attended by students, staff, parents, and alumni – concluded a year of commemoration for the school with concerts, a sports festival, the planting of 120 trees and a theology conference.

The sculpture was designed by St Benedict's student Jamie, currently in Year 10, who said: "I designed the sculpture in my art lesson, originally in clay.

"The seven spheres of the design represent the different stages in our school years, with each one getting progressively bigger.

"This reflects our motto at St Benedict's, a minimis incipe – which means 'from the smallest beginnings'."

Jamie's design was developed by the Head of Art, Design and Technology at St Benedict's, Rod Pereira, and Design teacher Mauricio Mendes.

The sculpture was fabricated in stainless steel by Karim Attoui of MDM Props.

The atrium was designed by architect Katie Wilmot, a former St Benedict's student and president of the school's Old Priorian (alumni) Association.

It stands at the Marchwood Cresent entrance of the school and is a light-filled, wood panelled hall overlooking landscaped gardens.

Headmaster Andrew Johnson said: "Our atrium is a place of welcome – and is therefore an important addition to our Benedictine school, where hospitality is one of our key values.

"It is complemented by this very fine, student-designed sculpture, and I am delighted that we have representatives here this evening from the Society of Parents and Friends, who generously helped to fund it."