St. Ninian's High School has certainly played its part in remembering the fallen of the Great War and marking the one hundredth anniversary of Armistice Day.
North Douglas Schools Remembrance Concerts
In October our students joined forces with our cluster primary schools (Onchan and Ashley Hill) and the Royal British Legion Onchan branch, to put on two Remembrance Concerts in our Lower School Hall. The concerts included students from all the schools performing songs from the First World War and readings of letters and poems written by Manx service men and women from the time. Photographs and imagery of the island and manx soldiers during the war also added great poignancy to the occasion. The Lieutenant Governor and representatives from the British Legion and veterans, including Hector Duff all attended and also contributed to the proceedings. The main foyer area of Lower School was decorated with poppies and art work completed by Lower School students and students from our cluster primary schools.
Individual Cards of Remembrance from all students.
The School also completed a project with the Poppy Appeal which saw every student in the school (over 1200) writing an individual remembrance card to one of the Manx service men and woment who lost their lives during the Great War. The cards were collected and have been displayed throughout Douglas with the largest collection being displayed in the windows of the Sayle Gallery.
Knitted Remembrance Poppies
Students from the 'Knit and Natter' Group knitted poppy badges which were then sold in the School Foyer to staff and students to raise additional funds for the Poppy Appeal.
Two minutes Silence on Friday 9th November
As the 11th November fell on the Sunday we decided to include a two minutes silence on Friday 9th at 11am so that the school could collectively remember and pay respects to the former students, staff and other Manx people who gave their lives during the Great War. 11am falls during the busy morning break time and the whole school stopped and everyone fell silent to remember at this time. The Last Post was played by Year 10 student, Emma Smith at Lower School and Year 12 student, James Kewley at Upper School.
Onchan Garden of Remembrance Tribute - Saturday 10th November
On Saturday Ms. White, Deputy Head Teacher and students from Lower School joined those from Onchan Primary Schools at St. Peter's Church Garden of Remembrance to place wooden crosses onto the grass, each with the name of a serviceman from the village who fell in the conflicts. A reading was also given by students from the school.
National Festival of Remembrance Concert and Drum Service - Saturday 10th November
St. Ninian's was represented at this service by Mr. Coole, Head Teacher, the Head Girl, Georgia Foxton and Head Boy, Tom McCormick. Tom and Georgia each gave a reading during the concert.
Onchan Remembrance Sunday Service at St. Peter's Church
On Sunday Lower School students and staff attended this service and laid a wreath at the Onchan War Memorial on behalf of the School.
Douglas Remembrance Sunday Service
On Sunday our Head Girl and Boy took part in the service at the Douglas War Memorial and laid a wreath on behalf of the School.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”