Academy Marks Remembrance Day As Staff And Students Pay Tribute

A service of remembrance was held at Tollbar Academy with students who are Air, Army and Sea Cadets taking part in a parade. Paying their respects, from left, are Stephen Marshall, veteran, Richard Howe, Royal Air Force veteran and Science teacher, Brandon Burden, 15, Air Cadet, Victoria Watts, Interim Principal, Sam Shackleton, 15, Army Cadet,  and Emaleigh Pickerden, 15, Sea Cadet.

Tollbar Academy students and members of local cadet forces paid tribute to those who have lost their lives at war as they laid a wreath and held two minutes of silence at the Academy today.

The students and staff commemorated Armistice Day (also known as Remembrance Day) which marks the day World War One ended at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918.

Students marched at the front of the Academy led by RAF veteran Richard Howe, then looped around to stand at ease. The last post was played and the school flag was lowered to half mast. Following two minutes of silence, Year 12 student and Air Cadet Charlie Whittle gave a reading of the Ode Of Remembrance. A wreath was then laid by Tollbar Academy Interim Principal Victoria Watts. The short ceremony ended with a general salute and singing of the National Anthem.

Charlie Whittle, who led the parade, said: “As a cadet I feel I have to take a lead in ensuring we remember those who gave their lives. In cadets we very much believe our duty extends to helping our community better understand the importance of remembrance and our ceremony today is a demonstration of this.”

Year 11 Tollbar Academy student and Army Cadet, Sam Shackleton, said:  “It’s important not to forget the men and woman who made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for us. It’s easy to forget that many of the soldiers were little older than we are now. Remembering them in this way is the least we can do.”

Year 11 student and Air Cadet Brandon Burden added: “We have to show respect for those who have fought for us and lost their lives to protect our way of life. So many young men and women died protecting our country, we have to commemorate that in a way which shows how much we appreciate their sacrifice.”

Paying respect on Armistice Day are, from left, Phil Dann, Teacher of Humanities and organiser of the service, with Oliver Bell, 14, Sam Shackleton, 15, Scott Harrington, 14, Kegan Munro, 15, Owen Robinson, 15, Charlie Whittle, 17, Brandon Burden, 15, Oliver Crowley, 16, and Emaleigh Pickerden, 16.

Army, Sea and Air Cadets who are also students at Tollbar Academy take part in a parade at the school for Armistice Day.

Tollbar Academy Year 7 Art students who created a poppy display in the windows at the school reception. From left, Holly Daniel, Charlie Jensen, Lamar Salameh, Evie Kirby, Teddy Forsyth, Maya Butler and Leighton Carroll.