PUPILS and staff in Solihull schools fell silent to remember the fallen.
Ninestiles, Cockshut Hill School and Lyndon School marked Armistice Day (November 11) joined the nation as it paused for a two-minute silence.
Cockshut Hill School welcomed Deputy Lieutenant Lawrence Barton of the West Midlands Lieutenancy to attend their ceremony.
The school’s head learners did some readings and some of the school’s army cadets attended in their uniform.
Children from several local primary schools also paid a visit to the school, along with religious leaders from the local community, Jo and Graham Hollioake from St Thomas’ Church and Enid Seeley from St Edbergha’s.
As is now tradition at the school, Claire Pilkington, a long standing member of Cockshut Hill staff, played the ‘Last Post’ on the cornet.
On Remembrance Sunday members of Cockshut Hill’s Student Leadership Group had attended a Remembrance Parade locally, alongside Jess Phillips MP, they laid a wreath on behalf of the whole school community.
At Lyndon School students lined up outside to participate in the two minute silence and The Last Post was played.
Remembrance, at Lyndon school , is sombre but reflective as pupils leave a legacy for future members of the Lyndon family through the planting of both real and designed poppies in the Lyndon Remembrance Garden, a permanent visual reminder of the sacrifice of others.
Pupils at Ninestiles also took part in the two minute silence.
In the lead up to Armistice Day, they have been making efforts to learn more about former pupils named on several plaques at the school who died in the Second World War.
Staff members and learners at the school are keen to know if anyone in the local community recognises any of those named on the plaques and if could provide more information about them.
Images of the plaques are available on the news section of the Solihull Observer website.
Anyone with information should contact the school on [email protected] or 0121 628 1311.
Vince Green, chief executive at Summit Learning Trust said: “Taking part in Remembrance Day gives our learners the chance to reflect upon those who have given their lives to protect us, and to thank those who currently serve in the Armed Forces.
“As a trust, we have a thriving Army Cadet detachment and having been recognised with a Gold Employer Recognition Award for our support for the Armed Forces community, we are proud to have such a strong connection to them this Remembrance Day.”
Over 1,100 pupils, staff, governors and invited guests gathered at Solihull School to remember those who died in the World Wars and other conflicts.
Wreaths were laid at the War Memorial in the school’s Great Quadrangle on November 11 by His Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Clive Stone; Head of School, Bella; CCF Cadet, CMS Thomas; Serving Officer, Sub-Lieutenant Thomas Yearsley, Royal Navy (Windsor 2012 – 2019) representing all past and current Old Silhillian serving officers; President of the Parents’ Association, Aneesa Ahmed; President of Saint Martin’s Old Girls Association, Louise Cox; President of the Old Silhillians’ Association, Simon Westwood; Chairman of Governors Damian Kelly; the Bursar, and the headmaster, Charles Fillingham.
A rendition of the Last Post was played by Upper Sixth student Kieran Bown, followed by a two-minute silence, the Reveille played by Third Form pupil Izzy Olden, and a Roll of Honour, before Mr Fillingham recited the traditional tribute to The Fallen.
The Act of Remembrance was live streamed to 450 Prep School pupils and staff on the Saint Martin’s campus and was followed by a Sixth Form Chapel Service led by Chaplain, Reverend Rachel Hill-Brown.
The Uniformed Protective Service students at Solihull College and University Centre led a Remembrance Day Parade to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war.
At 11am, two minutes silence was observed by students, staff, family and friends who were in attendance.
