Over the last two weeks, the children at Fyling Hall have been remembering all those in the armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
On Sunday, boarders attended the Remembrance Day service at St Stephens Church and on Tuesday 11th, the whole school gathered to watch as a tree was planted during a poignant service led by those pupils whose families work in the Armed Forces. The readings were followed by a rendition of “The Last Post” by 6th former Konrad Luedecke on the trumpet and a two minute silence. A memorial bench was also revealed, and our headmaster, Steven Allen, encouraged the listening audience to use it as a place to sit and think about all those who have given their lives for our freedom.
Our school has a long history and many links with families who work in the military and it was very important for us to spend some lesson time learning and thinking about the sacrifices that the servicemen and their families have made, and continue to make, whilst representing our country.
Across the whole school, pupils have read poems and stories, watched and listened to historical footage and talked about the importance of remembering those who died a long time before they were born. Time has also been spent, in various lessons, thinking about the effects of war on those who are left behind.
On Monday, Mrs White visited the school to deliver an assembly where she shared her own memories of World War II and the impact that it had on the children and teachers at Fyling Hall. Amongst other details, the pupils were fascinated to hear about the day that the soldiers arrived to take occupation of Fyling Hall School, and Mrs White, along with the remaining depleted staff, left on a bus, not to return for three years.
As part of their GCSE History course, Year 10 pupils created their own personal poppies while studying the causes and events of the First World War. Their poppies and those of other pupils and students now forms part of a display on the First World War in the history department. Further displays can be found in the dining hall and in the Junior School. A painting of a war torn landscape, created by 6th former Ollie Sykes, is also on display in the dining hall.