Prep School Remember Servicemen And Women During Remembrance Assembly
On Friday 8 November, pupils, staff and servicemen and women joined together at the Prep School for their Remembrance Day Service.
Reverend Mike Wilkinson led the assembly and the children learnt about why we wear a poppy each year.
The assembly focused on why we stop and think of servicemen and women – past and present – each year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
The service gave the Prep School an opportunity to consider all family members who have served in the forces and the children showed pride in their family history.
This was a special activity as each child took time over half term to learn about their family and how they had supported the war effort in the past.
As part of the special service, Miyansa, Vivaan and Aditi read ‘Flanders Field’ by John McCrae which was very poignant, with Alex and Ben also reading a verse from Philippians.
‘I Thought Of You With Love Today’, a poem on the theme of ‘Remembering Together’, was read out by Harry, Swasi, Mathis.
Before the two minute silence, Henry, Sawan, Nisek, Nischala and Ted lay poppy wreaths, before Tom and George played the ‘Last Post’ with great poise and dignity.
Chloe and Melisa lit candles during the silence to remember those who have served in conflicts, both past and present.
The children’s respect for the occasion was evident throughout the service, as 174 children individually read out the name of a former pupil or member of staff who have given the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts from 1914 to 2018.
Among those listed on the scroll of honour were nine with Military Crosses, one with a Distinguished Conduct Medal, one with a Military Medal and one with a Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry.
After the assembly, the children planted their crosses in the grounds of the Prep School in the shape of a heart to recognise love for their families who have served in the forces.
Thank you to all those parents who are service personnel who attended the service – it made it particularly special for the children to see them in their uniform.
The teachers would also like to thank the children from Nursery to Year 6 who made a such a special display, which will be available to see for the next week.
