News
Remembrance Day 2022
On 11 November 2022, marking 104 years after the end of World War One, staff and students at Valley Park joined together to remember those who fought and lost their lives during the war.
The ceremony was held on the plaza where there were ceramic figures (created by students) and pieces of artwork all related to soldiers, poppies and World War One; placed around them were ceramic poppy reefs crafted by Year 6 students from neighbouring primary schools. This was a beautiful display of the communities within Valley Park collectively coming together to remember and commemorate the soldiers who fought courageously in the war.
The remembrance ceremony began as Mr Chapman welcomed the staff and students, and introduced the uniformed Army, Navy and Air Cadets, who stood together to pay their respects for the ones we lost.
The ceremony continued with Year 9 student, Harry, giving a powerful reading of 'Remembered Still Those Souls Who Tried' by Ernie Rowe. This was followed by Year 12 student, Lucy, who read 'In Flanders Fields' by John McCrae.
'Harry and I felt honoured to be given the opportunity to deliver such important and meaningful poems at the ceremony, surrounded by so many who had come to pay their respects,' said Lucy.
Following the readings, Lucy and Harry took a poppy wreath made Year 6 students and placed these down by the ceramic poppy figures. Headteacher, Mrs Hutchinson, and other senior members of staff also placed poppy wreaths down by the sculptures to pay their respects.
Mx Corby followed this by giving a speech about the significance of this day and why we should remember the fallen. The Cadets, led by Year 12 student, Tom, finished their parade and took their stand in front of the artwork, ready for Year 11 student, Bobby, who played the trumpet throughout the two-minute silence, where the whole school stood collectively in an act of respectful contemplation recalling the sacrifice of millions during World War One.