The New Hall School community came together this month to honour Remembrance Day in a series of moving and reflective services across the School site.
On the front lawn, Senior Divisions students and staff gathered for a solemn Remembrance Service. The ceremony began with a reading of For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon, delivered by Head Boy Max, followed by Head Girl Louise’s heartfelt reading of In Flanders Fields by John McCrae. The entire community observed two minutes of silence, which was brought to a close by a poignant performance of the Last Post by Carlos. Students who serve in the Cadet Forces and the New Hall Voluntary Service attended in uniform, embodying the School’s values of care, trust and respect.
Meanwhile, the Preparatory Divisions attended an assembly exploring the significance of Remembrance Day; why we observe it, who we commemorate, and how our School and local community continue to honour those who gave their lives. Pupils reflected on the named street signs and memorial benches in the local area, before observing a respectful silence at 11.00am, also accompanied by the Last Post. Later in the day, pupils in Year 4 visited guests from the New Hall Voluntary Service (NHVS) to share poems they had written; their maturity and reverence were warmly appreciated by all.
Mr Andrew Fardell, Deputy Principal, said: “New Hall’s Catholic foundation shapes every aspect of School life, with a strong commitment to community service at the heart of everything we do. Remembrance Day is a time for our community to pause, reflect and to give thanks, while also reflecting on our core values of care, trust and respect, that guide us every day.”
At New Hall, a special value is placed on community and service, and this is lived out in the actions of the volunteers who take part in the award-winning NHVS. Founded in 1978, this thriving programme has been providing support to vulnerable members of the local community for over 45 years. Students, staff and parents volunteer weekly in eight action groups, hosting elderly guests and adults with learning disabilities onsite, tutoring local primary school children, and supporting local allotments offsite. Volunteering for NHVS promotes an enduring community spirit, nurtures responsible citizenship and encourages students to develop confidence, leadership and teamwork skills.
As a school committed to service, New Hall is also dedicated to supporting military families and recognises the importance of stability for children within the unique and often fluctuating circumstances of service personnel families. The New Hall Armed Forces Award ensures that full boarders from military backgrounds benefit from fee support, whilst students eligible for the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) receive further financial support, including an annual Forces Co-Curricular Grant, for co-curricular activities undertaken at School.
Categories: New Hall School School News
