Sunday 10th November was Remembrance Sunday, the day when British and Commonwealth countries remember servicemen and women who lost their lives during active service. This year’s Remembrance Sunday had special meaning as it was the 100th anniversary since the first Remembrance Sunday, held in 1919, one year after the end of the First World War.
Pupils of St. Lawrence College were asked by the British Embassy in Greece defence section to sing and read at the Remembrance Day ceremony held at the War Graves Commission cemetery in Falero. Year 12 pupil Jake Paternoster read a letter that a British soldier sent to his mother from the trenches of northern France in 1915. Eleni Kalendi, also Year 12, read the poem “To Germany”, written by Charles Sorley in 1915, which talks of longing for peace between the countries after the war. Both pupils’ readings were beautifully delivered and the attention of ambassadors from many countries, many military dignitaries and other members of the public was held as everyone reflected on the poignant words read by Jake and Eleni.
Later in the service wreaths were laid by a large number of ambassadors and representatives of countries, of army units and schools. Headmaster Mr Phil Holden laid a wreath on behalf of St. Lawrence College. While the wreaths were laid, a group of ten senior school pupils sang “Mansions of the Lord”, having been prepared for the occasion over a number of weeks by music teacher Ms Diana Romeos and accompanied on the acoustic guitar by guitar teacher Mr George Theofanidis.
After the event our pupils were thanked and congratulated by the British Ambassador Kate Smith and by the British Defence Attaché Tim Ferns. Everyone who attended the event was moved by the occasion and undoubtedly it was an honour for our school to be asked to play a central role in the proceedings.
