Dear Parents
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Last Friday we held our Remembrance Day Service in the Jagger Hall. College had held theirs the day before in the Memorial Chapel and it had included the Principal and Head of School laying a wreath at the Roll of Honour for those Old Diocesans who lost their lives in World War I. The Principal, Guy Pearson, did a presentation on his recent visit to the Western Front memorials on which he had been accompanied by the Chairman of Council, Mike Bosman, Head of History, Paul Murray and about 40 ODs. They had dedicated a plaque to the memory of the 112 ODs who died during World War I in St George’s Chapel, Ypres, Belgium: a chapel in which schools from around the world have memorials for their war dead. We asked him to do the same presentation the next day for our boys.
The boys were riveted by his PowerPoint presentation which also included a brief account of the War itself, the ghastly conditions of the trenches, the wholesale slaughter on both sides and the devastation it caused in so many families on nearly every continent.
Ultimately his message was for boys not to glorify war but to recognize it as something that engenders such enormous suffering and loss. For your interest, the tour booklet can be seen with the Principal’s Newsletter of 12 October, on the College website, under “News”.
We ended the ceremony with the playing of the Last Post and Reveille by two of our trumpeters, Nic Allison (Grade 6) and Max Molyneux (Grade 7). They must be congratulated on their excellent rendition of what are two very difficult pieces of music, especially for boys of their age.
CAROL SERVICE
Please join us for one our Carol Services next week. There is plenty of room for the extended family too. A reminder that all boys do have to attend.
ROWAN PIORKOWSKI
Many of the boys will have bought the orange wristbands with “Rowan” printed on them, proceeds of which will be donated to the Red Cross Children’s Hospital. Yesterday I took a number to the hospital for Rowan’s family and we already have a photograph of Rowan wearing his. A very special way to remain mindful and be united around him as he goes through his treatment.
Also included under Take Note, are notices regarding the new look school magazine that will be published in March 2018 as well as an appeal for the Bishops Trust’s Extra Term initiative, a chance to give a deserving boy a Bishops education.
Pop in to the hall to see a number of our boys' art on display. It is a real kaleidoscope of colour and creativity. Well worth a visit over the next few days.
Best wishes
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER |
