Fairfax Academy remembrance event: Staff, students and local community leaders came together at a Sutton Coldfield school for a respectful Remembrance Service to commemorate Armistice Day.
On 11 November, students at Fairfax Academy left their classrooms in absolute silence at 11.30am and met on the playground for a respectful memorial event in honour of those who gave their lives for our country.
Alongside the customary two-minute silence, the service included readings of ‘The Exhortation’ and ‘The Kohima Epitaph’ by Associate Assistant Principal Katherine Ford, as well as the sounding of ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ on bugle.
Principal Sean Castle said: “We encourage students to show respect to those who fought diligently and made the ultimate sacrifice for us. We’ve invited in visitors from local police and local armed forces to show a sense of unity among our community.
“We also participated in the Sutton Coldfield and Walmley Remembrance parades on Sunday, so students are getting involved in this poignant event both inside and outside of school.”
Among the special guests in attendance were representatives from the local police, armed forces and uniform groups.
PC Luke Connolly, an outreach officer working closely with local schools, said: “In my role, I work closely with Fairfax and other schools across Sutton Coldfield and Erdington to build a positive relationship between police and the children. We want to build rapport and trust with young people and present ourselves as approachable.
“Today was important to show respect to the servicemen and women who gave their lives for us and built the foundations of our country. We have to show the children that it’s something people of all different professions and backgrounds take seriously.”
VIPs attend Fairfax Academy remembrance event
Sub Lieutenant Thomas Owen, former Commanding Officer of the Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets, was also at the service.
He said: “It’s wonderful for schools to have events like this to make sure the youth get involved with remembering the heroes of our past, especially as fewer and fewer of the wartime generation still remain in our communities today.
“Forging these connections and appreciation between the younger and older generations is so important.”
Fairfax students belonging to uniform groups such as the Sea Cadets, Scouts and Guides were also invited to attend the ceremony in their uniforms.
Assistant Principal Jackie Mace said: “At Fairfax we have a number of students who are passionate members of these uniform groups, so the event was also about recognising our own students who put their time and effort back into the community through these groups.”
Mrs Mace, who helped organise the event, has a deep personal connection with the armed forces.
She said: “I have personal ties with the armed forces with my husband, Chris, being the Corps Drum Major for the HM Royal Marines, and I myself was a sea cadet when I was younger.
“I wholeheartedly believe that as a school and a local community, we should be recognising and remembering those who gave their lives so many decades ago, and those who continue to serve to this day.
Fairfax Academy remembrance
“The Remembrance service here at Fairfax is always a full community effort, and we’ve even seen visitors from other schools take inspiration in their own schools from Fairfax’s event.”
Mr Castle said: “It’s important to remember our history and heritage in an ever-changing country, and the sacrifices people made to enable us to be such a vibrant, free and multicultural society – values which Fairfax Academy is built on.
“I’m really proud of our students for their excellent behaviour and reflection during this important event. Since I became Principal, hosting this annual event has been a real honour, and our students never disappoint.”