St. George’s Remembrance

Thoughts of Remembrance from The Head

This week has been shaped by our focus on Remembrance and the importance of looking back at events that have shaped our world. We were very proud of the way our pupils conducted themselves, both in Sunday’s Chapel service and during the formal act of remembrance here at school on Tuesday. Pupils who took part by singing in the choir, playing the trumpet, reading or laying wreaths added significantly to our acts of remembrance. All pupils approached these occasions with a seriousness and respect that showed a deep understanding of its significance.

On Sunday, a particularly moving moment for me came as the names read by our School and Boarding Captains in Chapel were later read again at the Town War Memorial. Hearing those same names in both settings brought home the lasting legacy of the Old Georgians who gave their lives, and reminded us how closely the school’s history is tied to the life of the town. It was also great to welcome back OG Dan French who spoke at the service.

On Tuesday, our pupils were exemplary. I spoke to a number of pupils afterwards about how much they valued the brief moment of stillness and quiet in the middle of a busy day. That pause is important: it ensures that remembrance is not simply something we do each year, but a genuine moment to consider the human cost of conflict.

By reflecting on the sacrifices of the past, we help our young people to understand those things we prize: courage, service, and sacrifice. Our act of remembrance is both a tribute to those who died and a reminder of the kind of thoughtful, responsible global citizens our pupils are becoming.

When you go home. Tell them of us and say. For your tomorrow. We gave our today.