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13 November 2018
As Sunday 11th November marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, St Mary’s girls have been very busy carrying out a range of activities to mark this momentous date. In Monday morning’s assembly, Mrs Adams explained the history of the poppy and encouraged girls to take part in the remembrance activities during the week. In order to create a permanent tribute to the contribution made by British men and women in the First World War and all conflicts involving British troops since, every girl in the school has painted a poppy on a tile. All of them will be put together to create a beautiful piece of art for all to see. On Wednesday, we held a First World War poetry recital in the library. Miss Kaaber-Gore, Mrs Stansfield and Mrs Davison read some of the most famous poems, including In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, The Soldier by Rupert Brooke and Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen. We discussed the purpose and message of the poems and our listeners offered insightful thoughts. In form-time, our pupils have discussed and debated the issues surrounding Remembrance Day, the fund raising methods of the British Legion and why some choose to wear a white poppy. Our Year 13s were also fortunate enough to meet and listen to Major General Tim Inshaw, President of the Gerrards Cross branch of the Royal British Legion. They learnt more of the importance of Remembrance and the work of the Legion. Mrs Stansfield and Mrs Davison have also been delighted by the response to the request for stories of family relatives involved in the Armed Forces. There are tales of tragedy, heroism and very lucky escapes! We thank all of you that have sent in your stories and very much look forward to putting them together in a display. The week ended with an assembly in which our Chamber Choir sang In Flanders Fields and Dayna, Year 12, spoke of her visit to the battlefields of the Somme and Ypres. Lucy and Grace in Year 13 spoke of locals that fought in the wars and all pupils observed a two minutes silence.
