Our school Remembrance Service is always a pride evoking occasion and this year was certainly no exception.
At 10.45am, the whole school quietly and respectfully filed out into the autumn sunshine to assemble on the astro-turf pitch. We were particularly honoured this year to be joined by so many members of our armed forces community and families; some of whom are veterans and some are still serving in the RAF and Army. Members of the Brampton Branch of The Royal British Legion also attended (Brian Pease, President; Paul Murray, County Standard Bearer; and Tim Cheetham, Deputy Chairman).
Our choir began the commemorations with a stirring performance of ‘World in Union’. WHS students who are members of the RAF, Army and Sea Cadets paraded in, led by Lewis Turner, to stand in formation.
Head and Deputy Head students, Ellie Wilson, Angus Loughrey, Zach Ealey and Joe Simpson, gave readings of the poems ‘Flanders Field’ and ‘The Soldier’. The Last Post, played by Mr Tugwell, heralded a minute silence followed by the Reveille.
We are grateful to Wing Commander Matt Lawrence, Station Commander at RAF Spadeadam for attending and giving the Exhortation.
Following the service, our visitors joined the cadets and Ms Pigdon (Headteacher) to lay wreaths in our memorial garden.
Cadet Honey Roberts (Year 11) had been nominated for a William Howard School Special Recognition Award for her hard work and commitment towards her recent promotion to Corporal in the Air Cadets. It was only fitting that Wing Commander Matt Lawrence presented her with the award.
Remarking on Remembrance events, Ms Pigdon said: “We are extremely proud of all our students who displayed remarkable respect and reverence throughout this sombre occasion.”
In the run up to today, House Council members created a stunning Remembrance wall display in the Foyer, with poppies and messages that were created in History lessons. This made a fantastic backdrop to the scene constructed by RAF Spadeadam, depicting the conditions soldiers would live in during WWI.
In the week’s assemblies, Miss Nicholls (Associate Assistant Headteacher and History Curriculum Leader) spoke about why we recognise Remembrance each year.
