The whole School community came together in solemn remembrance on Armistice Day, with students and staff gathered on the field for a service of commemoration, including two minutes silence at 11am. As well as prayers and thoughts, the short service included wreath laying, and the sounding of ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ (by Freddie Lynas – 10Otter).
After a virtual service last year it was humbling and heartening to see the School come together in person to mark this important event. The conduct of the students was superb, within, and either side of the service. In the build-up to today’s service, tutor groups have also each morning reflected on the meaning of remembrance, and have had the chance to buy poppies. The service ended with Funmi Ajayi (one of our School Captains) dismissing the pupils by blowing a whistle used in the trenches – the sound of which gave our students a tangible link to those events over a century ago. Along with the Spitfire that flew overhead, and the birdsong that punctuated the two minute silence, it added to the solemnity, and poignancy, of the event.
As Mr Hindman mentioned within the service, we can only aim to enjoy ‘life in all its fullness’, partly because of the sacrifice of those we remember on this day. My thanks must go to all of those who participated, and those who helped organise the event (too numerous to name individually I am afraid)
Justin Barnett, Head of Humanities