Tribute to our Fallen Heroes

November 2017

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On Friday 10th November our Academy fell silent for two minutes to reflect upon the meaning of Armistice Day and Remembrance Day. The service was held outside in our new memorial garden with members of our Academy Council in attendance to represent students in all year groups.

This year, as Armistice Day fell on a Saturday, our service was held one day early. The Memorial Service is an important feature of our Academy calendar and one which students value enormously as it provides an opportunity for them to reflect upon the tragedies of conflict and to pay tribute to the thousands of fallen soldiers from WWI and WWII and the 12,000 British soldiers who have lost their lives in combat since 1945.

This year, alongside former service man and Academy Governor, Mr George Campbell, we were joined by special guest, Mr Vernon Dodd, who agreed to lead the service by laying the poppy wreath. These two veterans served for a combined total of 69 years in The Army and the Territorial Army. Members of our Academy Council also paid tribute by laying wooden crosses on behalf of their peers and a moving rendition of The Last Post, played by our Academy Music Tutor, Fiona Casewell, echoed throughout the Academy grounds.