Remembrance Service | 9.11.24

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

On Saturday morning, the Prep School gathered for our Remembrance Service.  This was a very poignant and reflective occasion, as we remembered those former Cheam pupils who had paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Great Wars. As a Sshool, it is vital that we share with our pupils this powerful chapter in our nation’s history.  We hope that Cheam pupils and families will continue this tradition into the future – ‘lest we forget’!

In preparing our Remembrance Service and thinking about our lessons, readings and prayers, it is a balance of creating a moment of solemnity and gravitas yet maintaining the focus and attention of our pupils. This year, I really felt we succeeded due to four different components. We had planned well and simply but remained sincere in our readings and prayers. We called upon lots of Year 8s to lead our worship and in total there were 29 pupils directly involved in some capacity.  Mr Milbank, spoke brilliantly, sharing his powerful message with remarkable stories and personal connections. He talked about the different war experiences of two grandparents of pupils at school. This made for insightful and relatable experiences, as we all shared that connection, through stories and photos. Finally, as ever, we were incredibly proud of all the children present in Chapel, who stopped, listened, prayed and sang with heartfelt commitment. Well done to the whole team!

My sincere thanks to all the Year 8s, who lead from the front or helped read our roll of honour.  You took on your roles with impressive confidence and authority. William and Louis joined with Mr Townsend to play the full version of the Last Post and Reveille with real courage and conviction. Caspian then captured a reflective moment sharing the Piper’s Lament (Flowers of the Forest) on his bagpipes. The Chapel Choir sang two contrasting anthems, Pacem, dona nobis pacem (Peace, give us peace) and the Nunc Dimittis from Stanford’s setting in B flat. They were joined by the parents and Staff in the Cheam Community Choir and all sounded magnificent.

We were honoured that a group of current and former serving officers from Cheam’s Staff and parent body, with the Head Boy & Girl, representing the School, laid a commemorative wreath at the altar. Their presence and gravitas added another helpful and tangible connection for us all. Mr Ingram and Caspian piped the Guard of Honour and the Choir out of Chapel playing La Baum and Rowan Tree before Mr Bowey played William Walton’s triumphant Crown Imperial March.

A special service – we remembered well – and for that, sincere thanks to all!