As November came around, events surrounding Remembrance started. Having strong ties with the local British Legion, Summerhill students and staff put in a lot of effort to honour the courageous men and women who gave their lives for our today. This was demonstrated in the remembrance assemblies, which ran in Global Learning lessons on the week commencing the 4^th of November. An additional assembly was held after school on the Thursday for parents, staff and members of the community to attend. Members of the British Legion also came in to watch one of the assemblies. Large numbers of students took time out of their lessons to prepare and perform in theses assemblies, sacrificing their studies to respect and honour remembrance. During the assembly, segments were read from the book “Lost Sons of Wall Heath and Kingswinford”, along with poems and a drama piece. The choir also performed two songs. 

At the front of the school, thousands of handmade poppies were placed in the grass, creating an astonishing poppy garden. Each poppy was cut out and laminated, with the name of an individual solider on each and everyone. Along with an army of volunteer helpers, all the poppies were placed and Summerhill’s poppy garden was complete.

Remembrance Sunday, 10^th of November, arrived and masses of Army Cadets, Scouts, Beavers, Cubs, Rainbows and students from Crestwood and Summerhill attended the parade. Starting at the British Legion in Kingswinford at 10:30, the parade set off on a march down to St. Mary’s church, where at 11:00 there was a minute of silence, a hymn and prayer. Once the wreaths were placed on the memorial outside the church, all in attendance entered the church where a remembrance service was conducted. Prayers were said, hymns were sung and all concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. The parade then exited St. Mary’s, marching back to the British Legion. Once there, Summerhill’s choir sang songs and those who took part in the march were given refreshments. Despite the cold weather, the parade, along with the service at St. Mary’s, were successful in respectfully honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we could have the freedom we have today.       

A minute silence was held at 11 am on the 11^th of November at Summerhill School. Across the school, students stood in silent contemplation of those brave men. Remembrance is an immensely important subject, as without those young men who gave their lives in both the world wars, the students of Summerhill, and all those in the surrounding community, wouldn’t have had the luxuries of life we do. So, each November, wear your poppy with pride. Lest we forget.