Our Annual Remembrance Service was held in the School Hall yesterday and pupils shared hymns, readings, prayers, and music to remember the fallen. During the Service our School Captain, Rafael, laid a wreath in memory of those from the School who gave their lives in service during World War II, or in other conflicts. A guard of honour was formed by our CCF cadets who supported our service, during which the Standards were dipped for the two-minute silence.

Our CCF cadets also offered their annual support to local Primary Schools at their respective Remembrance Services yesterday, providing similar ceremonial duties and readings for the younger pupils.

Once again, it was a busy weekend for our pupils as they participated in Services of Remembrance across our City. On Sunday, the CCF participated in Southend’s Annual Remembrance Service, parading around 100 cadets at the Cenotaph in Southend. During this service, wreaths were laid by our School Captain, and by Mr Birdseye, President of the OWA. We were also pleased to be joined at the Cenotaph by former WHSB pupils and cadets, staff and friends of the School.

Our CCF cadets supported the Remembrance Service at Stow Maries Aerodrome on Sunday, and were also pleased to provide a guard of honour, ushering and ceremonial duties for the Orpheus Singers’ annual charity Concert of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion at Kings Road URC, Westcliff on Saturday evening.

This participation is something in which the pupils and staff take considerable pride, as we remember the service and sacrifice of others.

We commend and thank the pupils for their respectful participation in these events, and we are proud of them all. Our particular thanks to Lt Col Baggs (Contingent Commander), and to all the CCF staff for their superb coordination, participation and planning in connection with these various events.