On Friday 10th November, Wakefield Girls’ took a moment to pause and remembered the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community, from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. This is ahead of Remembrance Sunday this weekend.

At 10.59am, the school bell rang around campus. The two-minute silence was, as ever, a poignant moment to reflect and remember all of the selfless men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, defending our country; and to appreciate the freedoms that we have, that they fought for. 

In room 19,  Head, Ms Boyes was joined by Mr Eggleston, Deputy Head, staff and students and a wreath of poppies was laid. Mr Eggleston read ‘For the Fallen’ by  Laurence Binyon. Junior Head Girl Aurelia and Deputy Head Girl Izzy followed with a reading of the poem ‘We shall keep the Faith’.

Senior Head Girl Clara then followed with a recital of the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. Musician Roisin performed the haunting melody of The Last Post and Reveille. Mr Eggleston then read Kohima Epitaph, before Ms Boyes gave some final remarks for staff and students to reflect upon throughout the day.

Poppies have been available to purchase throughout the week in school. All funds raised by poppy sales goes to The Royal British Legion, a charity dedicated to supporting veterans, serving personnel, and their families. Poppies were chosen to represent Remembrance because despite the bleak and destroyed landscape throughout the Western Front, the resilient Flanders poppy still managed to grow. 

Room 19 is used to host our Remembrance service and lay our wreath. Between April 1917 and April 1919 Wentworth House, our main school building, was used as an auxiliary military hospital. Nearly 4,000 wounded soldiers were treated by volunteer local doctors and nurses. A plaque is located in room 19 which is one of the classrooms that has been preserved with its original wooden panelled walls and beams, which are the same as they were during the war.