Today, the 93rd Armistice Day, falls on the auspicious date of 11.11.11. At both the Junior and Senior Schools, the Union flags were lowered to half mast and staff and pupils remembered all members of the armed forces, worldwide, who have died in the line of duty since World War I.

At Beavers Holt, all pupils gathered in the front playground and a group of Year 6X pupils recited the poems ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae, ‘We Shall Keep the Faith’ by Moira Michael, and ‘For the Fallen’ by Lawrence Binyon.

The ringing of the bell signalled the start of the two minutes’ silence after which former R pupil, Tom Mudie, played the Last Post on his trumpet. Hall School Wimbledon was delighted that Tom, who left The Downs last year, was able to take time out from his new school, Habersdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College, to return to Beavers Holt and keep up this tradition.

Meanwhile, over at The Downs, break stopped at 10.50am and lessons were paused as pupils, teachers, office and kitchen staff gathered together on the top playground. More than 200 members of Hall School Wimbledon, each wearing a poppy, lined up and listened as Mrs Healey, on behalf of Mr Hobbs, reminded everyone of the history, meaning and purpose of Armistice Day. ‘The Ode of Remembrance’ from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ was also read at the Senior School, by 11S pupil, Josh Porter:

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.

The two minutes’ silence was observed before Charlie Penny, another 11S pupil, played the Last Post on his trumpet, marking the end of HSW’s observance of Armistice Day 2011.

A small selection of photos of Armistice Day is available to view in our Photo Gallery.