At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 1918, the guns on the Western front finally fell silent, marking the armistice and bringing to an end the First World War. At St Faith’s, at 11 o’clock on 11th November, our school stood in stillness outside and we joined the nation in observing the 2-minute silence. This was marked in the traditional way with a pupil playing ‘The Last Post’ on a trumpet, and the period of observance concluded by ‘Reveille’. Those two pieces of music were then played again at our afternoon assembly, when we were joined by The Leys and St Faith’s Foundation Chaplain, Reverend Simon Coleman. Reverend Coleman spoke to the children about how our most significant memories are invariably of people. Monday was also a day for the whole school community to remember by name the Old Fidelians who had lost their lives in conflict and war. As the roll of honour was read out by our Year 8 pupils, they each held a large poppy, one for every person whose name was read out.

The Purcell Ensemble played Henry Purcell’s ‘Chacony in G Minor’ as the children entered Ashburton Hall and later in the assembly, the Chamber Choir performed a beautiful rendition of ‘Pie Jesu’ from Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem. The whole occasion was very respectfully observed by the children.