The ‘make do and mend’ spirit of the War generations was invoked in Chapel this year as the School gathered ‘phygitally’ (a hybrid of physical and digital!) to mark the 11th November Armistice Remembrance.
With technological wizadry from Mr Jewell-Smith allowing most of the school to join in their classrooms, Form 6 and a handful of staff were in Chapel for the traditional Remembrance Service.
The Form 6 girls’ choir, prepared by Mrs Williams and accompanied by Dr Ward, sang our hymns beautifully, as well as a moving rendition of ‘Jesus is Fairest’ (arr. M.How) for the anthem.
Kicking off the service, Mr Brooks, then George B and Lily L read In Flanders Fields (by John McCrae). The tricky task of reading to a live congregation and a camera was continued as Abi L and Gabriel J read Psalm 37.
The Last Post and Reveille were played by Henry Perei in nerveless fashion, and the service concluded with the Form 6 boys’ choir giving a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.
As with much of life at the moment, the service captured the ‘new normal’ as the socially and technologically distanced sat (older pupils and staff with face coverings) apart. It was also, however, a fitting tribute to the men and women who sacrificed much more in generations past and present.
