Remembrance Day

For the first time this year, St Thomas the Apostle PS was able to gather together for a very special occasion, Remembrance Day. For the students and staff, this was quite a big deal. We had to remember what it is like to be together in the one space and for the Foundation students, this must have been daunting! The students did an amazing job of maintaining reverence and a reflective atmosphere.

Senior students of the Bethany Community stepped up to the occasion and took on a very important leadership role of taking us through the readings and prayers. Suitably, we listened to John’s gospel that reminds us that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend. We were led through the beautiful poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’, the ‘Ode’ and our beloved ‘Lord’s Prayer’. A touching moment was experienced when two Foundation students carried the wreath carefully to the foot of the flagpole. The school choir sang the National Anthem to complete the ceremony.

The flagpole courtyard was adorned with red poppies, red balloons and red streamers to create a stunning backdrop for the Remembrance Day prayer service. It was a beautiful event to be part of and we were so grateful that this was made possible with recent lifting of restrictions.

It is moments like this that provide students with a richness of tradition and recognition of significant stories in our history. Whilst there are still aspects of our life where we are feeling a lack of freedom, it is nothing compared to the freedoms that were fought for by our generations before us. 

Lest we forget.