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Remembrance Service

11/11/2019

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

 

The Gate of the Year – Monnie Louise Hawkins

 

Today offers an extraordinary opportunity for each and every one of us to pause and to rethink what we might take for granted.  However, as this date coincides with anti-bullying week, it offers even more than this.

 

A pupil last year asked why we only have a week when we think about stopping bullying – which begs the question, why only have a day in which we remember the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many?

 

 

It feels like they're still here...

Year 4 pupil

Last night whilst thinking about the messaging for our service, it struck me that Remembrance cannot be about living in the past and equally, anti-bullying week cannot be a promise about the future – both must inform our present, so that we can live worthy lives with thoughtful, kind and considered words and actions in our day to day lives.

 

The world needs to be a little gentler and today should inspire all of us to pause in order to see and to be the kindness that is so sorely lacking in the world around us – we are strong enough to be kind!

 

 

How will we be remembered?

We heard a poem by Monnie Louise Hawkins, an interview with Harry Billinge, there were photos with whispered words from the past and singing that lifted the soul.  The names of the 36 WW2 Orleyans who never came home were read out at the front of the school and the flag dropped to remember them.

 

And finally, 73 poppies were planted at the front of the school to remind us to live in the present, aware of the debt and with a pledge to be kinder in all that we do.

 

Thank you to the 500 pupils, 140 staff and a number of residents and members of the OFA who came together to mark this special day.

Tim Calvey

We are strong enough to be kind