Remembrance Day

As we have come to expect of our students, respectful, quiet reflection and thoughtful learning and discussion characterised Ark Academy’s commemorations of the 100 year anniversary of WW1. Principal Delia Smith began our week with the Remembrance assembly which featured musical & dramatic performances as well as a moving reading of Kenny Martin's poem 'I Do Not Know Your Name'. 

Our Performing Arts enrichment group delivered a powerful presentation of 'In Flanders Fields' which displayed not only their talent, but their maturity. The production was a fitting nod to the genre of war poetry and provided the Year 7 & 8 students with significant food for thought.  To close out the assembly the GCSE music band, conducted by Mr Franklin, played a beautiful rendition of Gabriel's Theme (The Mission).

One of the moving elements of Tuesday’s assembly for Years 9, 10 and 11 was a reading of 'Dulce Et Decorum Est' by Wilfred Owen, a poem considered by many to be the definitive depiction of the horrors faced by soldiers during WW1.  A two minute silence to honour those who have died during service to their country was held during line - up at 11am. 

Our students then engaged in tutor time activities on the theme of WW1, the 100 years anniversary & peace. They were encouraged to think about Why is it important to remember?, what they believed peace looked like and who they would consider their heroes today.

Anugraha in Year 9 summed up the concept of peace with her belief that: ‘Peace is made by those who can understand other people's feelings, otherwise the world will never know peace.’ She continued with a sentiment we all echo ‘We should remember people who were in the war because they made a great sacrifice for us.’