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 The Marist Remembers | On Wednesday 11 November, girls at The Marist Senior School, Sunninghill, marked Remembrance Day.  The girls remembered the brave men and women who fought for their country to secure freedom for future generations.  The occasion is always a sombre time of reflection in the school calendar.

Students and staff gathered in the Senior School Main Hall, where Year 11 carried out the Memorial Service.  This year, students and staff learnt about the work carried out within The Poppy Factor, which helps manufacture poppies and other merchandise sold by The Royal British legion, as part of their Poppy Appeal.  The Poppy Factory is the country’s leading employment charity for veterans with disabilities or impairments and the first establishment to manufacture the British poppy.  The service ended with the moving poem “Why Do I wear A Poppy” by Anne Starr.

At 11 o’clock, commemorating the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the ‘two minute silence’ was observed by all students and staff.  Prayers were also said for those who lost their lives in battle during World War 1, World War 2 and more recent conflicts.  The silence concluded with the Last Post, beautifully performed on the trumpet by Year 10 student, Rebecca Lyes.

 

Outside the Senior School, for the second year in a row, the Art department proudly displayed their collaborative Art installation.  This year, students were encouraged to discover the significance of the poppy symbol.  Throughout the school, students and staff created 150 poppies sculpted from felt, thread, buttons and pegs using the ‘poppy-making’ kit created by the art department.  Each poppy was hand-made and individual.  This poignant memorial, represented the numerous individuals who lost their lives in battle.  Money raised through sales of the poppy-making kit have been donated to the British Legion.  As is tradition, The Marist help raise money for the British Legion by selling poppies and poppy memorabilia.  In previous years the school have raised around £1000 for The Royal British Legion.

Karl McCloskey, Headteacher said “Each and every year we observe Remembrance Day at the school.  It is very important that we remember the sacrifices made by those brave enough to fight for their country in order to bring peace and stability to current generations.  We pay tribute to those who lost their today so that we may enjoy tomorrow.”