Budehaven Remembers
Last week I had the privilege of delivering 'Remembrance' assemblies to all year groups. You could have heard a pin drop. 'Budehaven Remembers'. During some of the assemblies, Year 10 Drama students delivered the reflective and verbatim words of American Second Battalion Rangers who trained on our beaches before D-Day.
We collectively realised that our younger generation plays a vital role in salvaging our community's experiences and stories surrounding the conflicts of the past. If our pupils do not know their relatives’ involvement and family history, the saddening reality is it will disappear forever. Many pupils have delighted in the challenge of 'finding out' and sharing the 'gems'. We desperately implore these conversations to continue.
Every day last week, Ms South sold Poppy merchandise at break times. Pupils were extremely eager to pay their respects and support The Poppy Appeal and the work of The Royal British Legion. The Poppy collection tins are brimming and heavier than ever. We look forward to finding out how much the school has raised.
Pupils in Years 7 & 8 were each given a piece of red A4 paper and challenged with fashioning a Poppy. The poppies came flooding in and now are presented (thanks to the efforts of Mrs Bardsley, Mrs Jenner, Mrs Hallman and Mr Stritch) on a Perspex display, greeting pupils and visitors at Stratton Road reception. When the light seeps through the red petals, it is hauntingly spectacular.
On Remembrance Sunday, with the sun shining and the geese providing a timely fly-by, Bude came out in droves to pay tribute. The commemorative event was brilliantly represented by our young people; wearing their many different hats (such as being members of the local Cadets, Bude Surf-lifesaving Club and Scouts). On Shalder Hill, representing the school and Legion House were Arthur Ireland and Siena D'Angelo Stamp (Year 7), Ella Branton (Year 9/ Legion Vice Captain) and Oscar Kirby (Year 10/ Legion Captain). They demonstrated exceptional diligence, respect and care; they were the epitome of respect. Ms South and myself were honoured to stand alongside them.
Remembrance Day witnessed Budehaven's first, very own Commemorative 'Armistice' Service outside in the quad; mirroring the service in the centre of town. Mrs Clarke explained the meaning of Armistice and why remembering in 'silence' is so important. Mr Prophet, who is himself a veteran having served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, explained the battles that were being commemorated in 2024 and then read The Exhortation, followed by a fantastic performance of The Last Post and Rouse played by Yr11 student, Blake Hosegood on cornet. The whole school undertook a two-minute silence and finally Mr Prophet read the The Kohima Epitaph. This service was attended by Budehaven's Year 12 History students, our tutor group representatives from all year groups, as well as our house captains and vice captains.
At 11.00am the bells rang, and we paused in silence; hearing the heartbeat of the school.
In English Lessons, Years 7-10, pupils were given the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings about Remembrance into words and poetry. We look forward to sharing the fruits of their labours in due course.
Mr Pearce