A young student and a student in a blue academic gown walk together across a blue sports court, carrying a large wreath of red poppies.

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We Will Remember

On Wednesday, we marked Remembrance Day with two services in the School. One was held at the Senior School, which involved pupils from Year 3 to Upper Sixth, and one in the Prep School for Years 1 and 2. Our Prep Chapel Choir joined the Senior Chamber Choir and sang ‘In Remembrance’ by Eleanor Daley and ‘Abide with Me’. Liliana F in Year 6 laid the School wreath with Lionel M, Upper Sixth student and Head of School. It was a sight to behold having so much of our community together.

A group of military personnel in uniform and civilians stand to attention during a Remembrance Day ceremony on a blue sports court, with a bugler playing on a platform draped in a British flag.

A young girl in a school uniform and a student in an academic gown walk forward, the girl carrying a poppy wreath during a ceremony.

A large group of students in school uniforms singing into microphones in front of purple pop-up gazebos, with a brick school building in the background.

In the Prep Hall, our Year 1 and 2 pupils, despite being only 5, 6 and 7 years old, were impeccably respectful of such a poignant occasion. Mr Sell, Quartermaster in the CCF, created our Drum Head on the stage, which I explained to the children was how those in the war created their sacred space for praying and reflection. The service began with our readers, all selected because of connections to the World Wars and the military.

Lewis F, brother of Liliana who laid the School wreath in the Senior School spoke about his grandad who served as an RAF mechanic and air traffic controller in Cyprus during the 1974 Turkish invasion, taking immense pride in keeping aircraft safe and flight-ready.

Brother and sister Joseph A in Year 2 and Darcey in Year 6 told us of how their grandad is their hero. He served in the RAF defusing bombs during the Gulf War, built Santa’s grottos for military families in Germany, and later delivered humanitarian aid to children in Ukraine.

Saffie G in Year 2 introduced us to her great-grandfather who served as a World War II soldier guarding Italian prisoners of war with such kindness and respect that one carved him a set of metal dice as a gift.

And our last reader, Serafina H-S in Year 6 also spoke of her great-grandfather who demonstrated extraordinary courage by joining the Italian resistance to fight oppression during World War II, enduring arrest and imprisonment for refusing to stay silent in the face of injustice and fighting for freedom.

Saffie and Serafina then laid our Prep School wreath, bringing our community together across the ages.

Four students in school uniforms standing on a stage, one holding a microphone and all holding cards that read Lest we forget.

A group of students, a veteran, and a teacher stand on a stage during a Remembrance service with a poppy wreath, drums draped in a Union Flag, and a ceremonial flag.

A student places a poppy wreath on a ceremonial drum draped with a poppy-themed flag, as a younger pupil watches from the side.

We were privileged to be joined by Mr Mike Gott as our Standard Bearer. Mike first became part of the Prep community whilst working as a catering manager in our kitchens. When we discovered his connection to the military and role as a Standard Bearer, we made sure he could be with us for our service. Mr Gott joined our trumpeters, Liam R (who is Prep alumni) and Harry C from the Senior School, who began our silence with the Last Post.

Our youngest choir, made up of children in Year 1 and 2, then led us in the song ‘We Will Remember’. They sang the first verse all by themselves before we all sang together for the second verse. I was in awe of all of our pupils across the School for their maturity.

A group of students and teachers standing on a stage with a drum, a wreath, and flags for a Remembrance Day commemorative event.

Two young men in suits playing trumpets alongside a man in a black beret holding a Royal British Legion flag.

Two young men in suits playing trumpets alongside an older man in a suit and beret holding sheet music at a memorial.

A veteran in a suit, black beret, and white gloves holds a ceremonial flag with medals pinned to his jacket.

Four young pupils in school uniforms with poppy pins singing into a microphone.

Four schoolgirls in uniform, each wearing a red poppy badge, stand together and sing.

Click here to see more photos from Remembrance at the Prep

This week I have been delighted to present two Head’s Awards. Alessia G-C in Year 5 received her award for her brilliant leadership during our Black History Month celebrations. Demonstrating incredible confidence, she led the School in singing the traditional Tanzanian song ‘Jambo Bwana’.

Alessia kicked off a lively call-and-response performance that instantly caught everyone’s attention. Before long, she had the entire hall singing along with her like an impromptu flash mob. It was a fantastic achievement and a wonderfully memorable moment for the whole school community.

Well done, Alessia.

A girl in a school uniform sits in a colourful armchair holding a Head of Prep Award certificate, flanked by two smiling women wearing staff lanyards.

Arthur M in Year 2 was nominated by Miss Shewring, our Wraparound Manager, for his kind and caring approach to everyone. Whether he is at Breakfast Club or After School Club, he always brightens up the room with his big smile and friendly conversation.

He loves asking the teachers about their weekends and enjoys sharing all the fun things he learns at school and at home. Arthur is a fantastic helper who is always thoughtful, honest, and kind to everyone.

We are very proud of him. Well done, Arthur.

A young boy sitting in a colourful patterned chair holds a Head of Prep award certificate, flanked by two women smiling at the camera.