The Birkenhead Park School Remembers

Our annual remembrance service is vital in educating our students about the importance of reflecting upon the impact of warfare past and present. It’s also an event that we are both honoured and privileged to be able to share with members of our local community and school alumni.

Past students joined our Year 7s and 8s for a special remembrance assembly that was led by a very mature and professional team of Year 11 students. Many of our guests remarked how confidently Abigail, Joshua, Imogen and Bethany and Riley had presented the story of remembrance to such a large audience- an effort they can be immensely proud of.

Afterwards, our guests joined us for a private ceremony at the honours board in school reception to observe the minute’s silence. After which, Mr Pat Landsborough and Mr Graham Lowther read the respective names of those students from Rock Ferry and Park High School whose lives were lost during World War II. Mr George Benson then closed those proceedings with a recital of Laurence Binyon’s 'For The Fallen’ featuring the immortal ‘They Shall Grow Not Old’ verse.

In our memorial garden, we also remembered the lives of our former students who tragically passed away more recently. Joined by their family members, Headteacher Mrs Johnson read out each name followed by Mary Elizabeth Frye’s ‘Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep’ and a wreath laid by our students placed next to each memorial plaque.

The students showed a great display of character in welcoming our guest today and they observed the service with the utmost level of respect.

Mrs Johnson said; “This event is always very special and it is so important to us all that we remember those former students who gave their lives in war. We also take the time to go out to our memorial garden and acknowledge the tragic deaths of former students over the years and the service is always very moving. I know the event means a lot, particularly to our ‘old boys’ and girls’, and is a perfect time for them to get together and talk about their friends and memories of their time at the predecessor schools.”

A big thank you to all involved. We shall remember them.