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, including George Benson (Chair of Rock Ferry Old Boys’ Association), 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 Chris, Kaci, Malisse and Ryan 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 minutes silence. After which, Mr Brian Hurton and Mr Stuart Brady 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 ‘They Grow Not Old’.

In our memorial garden, we also remembered the lives of our former students who tragically passed away more recently. Joined by their family members, deputy headteacher Mr Mee 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 next to each memorial plaque.

At the fine age of 103, our most senior guest Mr Cliff Crozier was more than happy to spend time with the staff and students sharing his own experiences as a serving officer in the Netherlands during World War II. An ever positive figure, Mr Crozier commented on how “exceptionally behaved and respectful” our students are, not just during today’s service but also as he as encounters them day-to-day in the community.

The students showed a great display of character in welcoming our guests today and they observed this service with the utmost level of respect. Mr Mee was “thoroughly proud and inspired by their maturity and attention when attending the assembly”, and “incredibly grateful for the continued support of our guests who join us year in year out, it is a real pleasure to welcome them all back into school.”

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