Today we held our annual Remembrance Service. The service was led by School Chaplain Mike Wildsmith and attended by some of the schools’ former student ‘Old Boys’, including former students who are currently in the cadets and serving in the forces. Current students who are cadets wore their uniforms, and the service was also attended by the Cheshire Fire Service, who brought along a fire engine and a boat.
The first part of the service took place in the schools’ Peace Garden, which is decorated by a poppy cascade donated by St Barnabas CE Primary School, clay poppies made by our students and Union Jack flag donated from Bridgefoot cenotaph. The service then continued in the school hall with amazing performances from students. The poppy dress which Head of Art Mrs Sam Joice created in 2017, made from over 900 individual poppies made by students across all year groups, again made an appearance being worn by Year 11 student Amelia Davies. Amelia also sang a solo, ‘In Flanders Fields’. Year 10 student Hayley Ng played the Last Post, leading into our school falling silent for 2 minutes at 11am.
Headteacher Mrs Scott-Herron commented: “It was a very moving Service. As the Boteler Family, today was about remembering those who are with us and those who aren’t with us anymore. It is vital that our young people experience reflection within a service and understand the impact that war and conflicts have on society. The level of respect shown in the service and around school really does demonstrate our Christian values of Hope, Compassion and Endurance. To be able to come together and to remember and reflect t is very powerful.”
Bob Timmis, Secretary of the Boteler Old Boys, said “I thought the service was absolutely stunning. It was great to see the young people so involved. Bearing in mind that I was here when it was a grammar school; pupils did not have as much involvement in these things as they do now. And that is one empowering thing to see happening.”
Boteler Trustee Hans Mundry commented: “The service really demonstrates that we should always remember the people who have sacrificed their lives and their time to make sure that we have a better future.”