Classmates cheer Sahil's return (From Asian Image)

Classmates cheer Sahil's return

12:48pm Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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Smiling classmates of Sahil Saeed cheered the news of his safe return today at a special school assembly.

About 200 children filed into the hall at Rushcroft Primary and sat cross-legged in rows before singing a song for Sahil, said prayers thanking God for his safety and gave a deafening “Hip Hip Hooray” to cheer his impending return.

The five-year-old started at the Oldham school last September and is in the reception class.

Jane Sheridan, the head teacher, told the children: “We have a very special assembly this morning.

”We had some very sad news in school, one of our stars was missing, Sahil had gone missing and we didn’t know where he was.

”I told you somewhere Sahil would be shining.

”Our star has been found, our friend is back, he’s safe, he’s well, people have found him and looked after him.”

The boy’s aunt Nabila Naveed, a dinner lady at the school, wiped away a tear, and two of Sahil’s young cousins who are also pupils at Rushcroft, were in the assembly.

Mrs Sheridan added: “The children told us when they came into school this morning.

”They are delighted, especially the older ones in year six, they were screaming happy.

”There was a big group from year six arrived at my door saying, ‘Is it true Miss? Have you heard the news?

”I was able to tell them as I have been speaking to the family.

”The girls started crying.

”I was absolutely delighted for the family, it has been a long long time for them.

”It has been very hard for a lot of children. To them it is one of their class.

”He was here, they went to bed and in the morning he was not here and some children were very confused and upset by that.

”There’s been quite a few children had sleepless nights and have been worried who hopefully now will be able to sleep at night.

”We will be having a party in school when Sahil returns.”

By Pat Hurst