We shall remember

Headington girls have immersed themselves in local Remembrance events, marking the occasion both in and out of school.

On Friday 9th November, the whole school gathered together for a short service of Remembrance in advance of the nation’s services for Armistice Day. Headington girls and staff were privileged to hear from the Rev Anthony Buckley, who later led the city’s Sunday civic service. Rev Buckley, a former school chaplain, vicar of St Michael at the Northgate, City Rector of Oxford and chaplain to the Oxford Air and Sea Cadets, spoke compellingly of sacrifice.

On the morning of Sunday 10th November, the Brass group and Chamber Choir joined the local Headington community by playing and singing at the St Andrew’s Church Remembrance Day service.

The Chamber Choir then went on to Radley College to join Radley singers and the professional Chamber Choir of London where they rehearsed for an evening 7.00 pm performance at Dorchester Abbey. The girls sang in a stunning variety of contemporary and traditional musical arrangements which movingly commemorated Remembrance Day.

The School’s CCF played a major role in the build up to and in Oxford’s Remembrance Service Parade. The contingent helped prepare and sell crochet poppies to sell as brooches, raising money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Crocheted flowers were also sewn to a poppy cascade displayed at the front of school.

On Remembrance Sunday, cadets led by Sgt Travis headed into Oxford City centre to parade at the Oxford City Centre service. The CCF have spent time practicing their marching to respectfully be a part of the service honouring those who have fallen in battle. Senior Cadet SSGT Teresa Macey-Dare had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of Headington School and its CCF. She followed this by performing alongside the choir at the Dorchester Abbey Remembrance Concert. 

At 11.00 am on Armistice Day, the School fell silent. Girls and staff gathered in the Hall for a prefect run moment of Remembrance with readings, a poem, prayer and the playing of the Last Post, as well as the act of Remembrance. SSGT Macey-Dare, as one of our Head Girl Trio, led the prefects and school community in conducting silence for all who have fallen from all our communities around the world. Hannah, L6, played the Last Post at both the Friday and Monday gathering with exceptional poise and sensitivity.  

It has been an honour for the cadets and girls to have had the opportunity to be so involved.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18027185.remembrance-sunday-2019—oxford-falls-silent-honour-fallen/

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