In the quiet corners of St Chris’ 25-acre campus, a poignant atmosphere enveloped the school community today as they joined together for Remembrance Day. This solemn occasion, marked by a minute’s silence at 11:00 am, allowed pupils, staff, and members of our community to reflect on the personal sacrifices made in conflict and the lives lost at war.
In the spirit of remembrance, St Chris demonstrated a commitment to responsibility and pride.
Representing the school, D Group (Year 6) undertook a meaningful journey to the local Letchworth Garden City War Memorial. Along the way, they engaged in thoughtful discussions about the significance of war memorials, searching for familiar names etched into the stone when they arrived at the site. The pupils responsibly delivered a wreath adorned with the school name, showcasing a profound sense of pride in their role. This act symbolized the unity of the school community in honouring those who sacrificed for peace.
Simultaneously, the Senior School and Sixth Form gathered for a special morning talk by Major Official Harley. Harley’s presentation delved into the challenges and triumphs of an ex-soldier he has known for many years. His request to deliver this talk and take on the huge responsibility, and the Morning Talk’s poignant conclusion with ‘The Last Post,’ performed by St Chris’ own Director of Music (Junior School) Martin Goodchild, marked the significance of the day. The sound of ‘The Last Post,’ resonating through the campus, mirrored the comfort it provided to those in historical conflicts.
The Remembrance activities continued as D Group returned, and the Junior School congregated around the peace posts installed on the Junior School lawn earlier in the year. Here, pupils delivered touching wartime and contemporary poems, demonstrating an understanding of the historical context and its relevance today. The white wreath, crafted by teaching assistant Corrine Toller, symbolizing peace, now rests on the Junior School lawn alongside the Peace Posts, representing unity across all year groups.
As the entire school observed a final minute of silence at 11:00 am, ‘The Last Post’ echoed through the Junior School lawn as the minute concluded, bringing a poignant close to the day’s remembrance activities. Martin Goodchild’s eloquent explanation of the symbolic nature of ‘The Last Post’ – which simply cannot be replicated – highlighted its significance as not just signalling the end of the day but also representing the end of life.
The school’s weekly parent newsletter, The Roundup, captured the sentiment of the day with pride. The moving Junior School service, the wreath-laying by D Group, and the impactful Senior School Morning Talk were all poignant moments that showcased the school community’s commitment to remembering and honouring the past.
“It was with real pride that I witnessed the moving Junior School service this morning and saw the D Group leave to place a wreath at the memorial in Letchworth. Also, Harley, one of our Major Officials, ran our Senior School Morning Talk this morning about his personal reflections on a single soldier that he has known for many years. This was made even more moving with Martin performing Last Post at the end of the talk.”
Rich Jones, Head of St Chris (The Roundup, edition 8)
Remembrance Day at St Chris goes beyond a simple act of commemoration; it becomes a collective expression of responsibility, pride, and respect for the sacrifices made. In fostering an atmosphere where every voice is heard and every story is shared, St Chris embodies the essence of remembrance, instilling a deep sense of understanding and gratitude in its students.
As the echoes of ‘The Last Post’ faded away, the spirit of responsibility and pride lingers on, guiding the St Chris community towards a future built on the lessons of the past.
