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Last Post Ceremony
On the afternoon of Wednesday 15th July, Oakbank students prepared for and participated in their own version of the Last Post Ceremony. In small groups, students researched local soldiers who were killed in the First World War. From this research, they created a small commemorative cross that could be placed in the ground at the ceremony. At the same time, GCSE Art students created giant poppies from milk bottles, coat hangers and red paint. When placed with the Oakbank poppy wreath, these made a visually striking centrepiece for our ceremony.
Poppy Art Project
Representatives from the Royal British Legion Arborfield and Bikers branch also attended the ceremony. They spoke about the importance of the ceremony and answered questions from the students about their war time experiences. Five of the representatives also brought their motor bikes (which included Harley-Davidsons) for students to look at and sit on.
Cllr Charlotte Haitham-Taylor
As the ceremony started, there was an atmosphere of quiet and respectful contemplation as our students placed their crosses in front of the poppy wreath. They were then spoken to by our local Councillor, Charlotte Haitham-Tailor. Both Councillor Haitham-Tailor’s Great-grandfather and Grandfather fought in the First and Second World Wars respectively. Students were intrigued to hear about the battle of September 1918 in which her Great-grandfather was awarded a Victoria Cross for heroic leadership of his men.
Commemorative Crosses
Finally, a verse from Laurence Binyon’s ‘For the Fallen’ was read aloud, the Last Post bugle played and all in attendance observed a respectful minute’s silence. John Cornish, chairman of the Royal British Legion Arborfield branch, then closed the ceremony by relaying how impressed he and his fellow members had been by the conduct and attitude of Oakbank students and what a wonderful afternoon it had been.
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OAKBANK SCHOOL
