This morning we held our Remembrance Services in school, honouring the men and women who have sacrificed themselves in service to our country. The senior service was attended by a number of welcome guest from within and outside the local community. Following tradition, we were also delighted to be joined by a delegation of pupils and staff from our partner school of 39 years, Clongowes Wood College.
During the service, prayers were led by our Senior pupil Leaders, the Head Boy from St Michael’s College and a prefect from Clongowes Wood College. The address to the congregation was then delivered by Robert Northridge OP.MBE, who shared a number of stories from his new book ‘Portorans in the Second Great War’, and with the generous support of the OPU issued a free copy to every pupil within our school community. Wreaths were laid by our Head Boy and Mr Brian Dane president of the Old Portora Union, to commemorate members of our school community who gave their lives in service of their country. The Head Boy from CWC then also laid a wreath at the memorial, outside the Steele Hall, to commemorate the young men from Clongowes Wood College who gave their lives during the First World War. After the service, our CWC guests were taken on a tour of both the Lough Shore and Copper Crescent sites and they even spent time in some post 16 lessons.
The music was conducted my Mrs Bloomfield and played by the Senior Wind Band, complimented by the Pipe Band on the front terrace to both welcome and bid fairwell to our guests. At each of the three services, buglers Ellen Boomfield and Kelly Beacom, played The Last Post and Reveille with precision and tone, fitting to the occasion.
Click below to hear Ellen and Kelly’s live rendition of The Last Post, from the senior service at 11am this morning.
Click below to hear the opening verse of abide with me performed by the Senior Wind Band.
