Christmas Stars Many Use the Coco-Cola Advert As Their Favourite First Sign of Christmas but at St
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December 2018 Christmas Stars Many use the Coco-Cola advert as their favourite first sign of Christmas but at St. Ed’s it is always our Nativity performances that signal Christmas is on its way! This year, our traditional nativity was performed by our Form 1 and Form 2 children who entertained their proud audience with an array of new festive songs including ‘A Great Big Star’ and “It’s a squash, it’s a squeeze”. #St. Ed’s defies anybody who left the Chapel that day without a tear in their eye! The following day it was our Early Years children who turned the Chapel into a winter wonderland of animals helping Rudolph who had lost his nose! After all of the animals kindly offered Rudolph alternatives, including a carrot and a star, it was Mr Walliker himself who saved the day as Rudolph’s nose appeared in his pocket! Thank Christmas for Mr Walliker! Congratulations to our Ties! Welcome Many congratulations to Ella Chauhan, Madelaine Murrin, Jake Paterson, Guy van Baby Michael Oudtshoorn and Erin Wilson who were awarded their Prefect “ties” this term. Voted for by the school staff, the “ties” role is to support the Heads of Prep Mr Church School, Kitty and Freddie, and assume particular responsibilities in and around the and his wife school. Quoting Churchill, “the price of greatness is responsibility” so well done Jitka are to you all for your more than deserving recognition. delighted to announce the birth of their son, Michael who arrived in this world on Saturday 17th November at 8.00 am weighing in at 8 lbs. Jitka went into labour just before the school’s boarding night which put a whole new twist on its theme, “the Great Escape!” Many congratulations to all three of you and welcome to the St. Ed’s family baby Michael! ..... St. Ed’s Remembered Along with the nation, St. Ed’s people, commemorating the fallen of WW1. commemorated the centenary of the We are so proud and honoured to have armistice at the end of the Great War played a part in the country’s remembrance with a number of incredibly special and of the centenary of the end of the war. None unique events, the first of which was of this would have been possible without the Mr Wright’s Armistice Sponsored Swim. magnificent and generous backing we have To remember our 37 alumni who gave received along the way, so this note comes their lives during the First World War, with my sincere thanks for the support you a team made up of pupils, parents, staff, have given to our project. alumni, grandparents, siblings and friends swam for 37 hours non-stop with the aim to swim the equivalent distance The swim raised funds for the “There to travelling from mainland England But Not There” campaign which is a to Albert at the heart of the Somme nationwide installation for the centenary battlefield, 98 miles! commemoration. It has three aims: to commemorate those who lost their lives Mr Wright reported, and fought in this war, educate the young “What an absolutely amazing 37 hours about the past sacrifices made by this we had. Rather like Tommy Atkins in generation, and raise substantial funds to 1914, St. Ed’s response as a community help heal Veterans still suffering physically, to the “call to arms” made back in as well as those with the hidden wounds September was quite simply breath- of mental health issues associated with taking. In terms of the distance swum, their time in Service. As this edition our initial target was blown away with went to print, the total amount raised a staggering 272 miles completed is a staggering £11,500. On hearing of which means we swam from St. Ed’s The swim started what was a very this fantastic achievement, Mrs Jo Walker, to Albert and then managed to get moving and reflective week at St. Ed’s. Deputy Chair of Trustees for the There back to mainland England – a truly Mr Taylor’s WW1 Commemorative But Not There campaign (and mum to incredible total. To single out just Exhibition was simply outstanding and Toby and Florence!) wrote to Mr Wright. a few highlights, the swimmer who included over 200 WW1 historical achieved the greatest distance was Dear Mr Wright artefacts and memorabilia, including Miss Ritchie who during her four weapons, rifles, uniforms, medals and rare First of all, I want to thank you for all the hours in the pool, which included a items including a WW1 blood transfusion support you, the school and the wider two hour stint from 2 am to 4 am, box (1 of only 2 left in the world), and a St. Ed’s community have given There But Not swam a staggering 718 lengths! Miss Sopwith Camel propeller amongst other There this year – the Armistice swim and Wade-Smith clocked an impressive 658 unique items. Over the three days it the exhibition event that took place at St. lengths and Mrs Church, who was over was on display, the exhibition welcomed Edmund’s was possibly the most spectacular 39 weeks pregnant at the time, came over 850 visitors from the surrounding of all of the fund raising efforts that we have in between 4.00 am and 5.00 am to community including our own pupils heard about, a truly fantastic all inclusive swim a length or two. Also taking part and parents, children from local schools event. To me it summed up the essence of was our oldest swimmer Alan Hardy, and residents from residential homes, St. Edmund’s and its alumni and supporters. Grandfather to Leo and Georgia all of whom were both astounded at I felt very proud to be part of such a Christmas, who is himself a veteran such a unique collection and grateful wonderful place. having served 26 years in the Army. to have been part of it. One of the He was injured in the Falklands war Our “There But Not There” Tommies have most poignant moments was when and as a result of injuries sustained on been installed around the country at war the residents from Huntington House active service, swam his 80 lengths with memorials, within communities, on iconic visited. Upon hearing the Chapel Choir the use of only his arms, just amazing.” landmarks and in the homes of over 80,000 in rehearsal, Miss Green kindly asked the choir to sing two songs that they had performed earlier in the school’s remembrance services, Flanders Fields and Keep the Home Fires Burning. Upon hearing the music, the gentlemen were all noticeably moved by the whole event and there was not a dry eye present in the chapel. Mr Taylor was absolutely delighted to see so many families and neighbours attend the exhibition on the Saturday and we are incredibly grateful to Mrs Abson who baked beautiful for the Joint Intelligence Committee and check-out when purchasing from their Poppy Cakes for the school to donate. COBRA. He is currently an independent store. Veterans need support year-round (Mrs Abson’s cake company “A Fancy intelligence analyst and commentator on and by buying a Tommy you will be Piece” can be found at www.facebook. terrorism issues and he spoke profoundly supporting our six beneficiary military com/afancypiece) . Thanks to everyone’s of his personal experiences as well as charities which ensure the support is generosity, the school raised £592.56 for speak to his enamoured audience about there year-round too. So whether it’s the Poppy Appeal collection. WW1 and what war meant then and yourself or as a Christmas present, please what it means now. Miss Green led the do take a Tommy home this Christmas On Friday 9th November, the whole Chapel Choir in a beautiful selection and share this code with the wider school attended Remembrance Services of songs and hymns including Flanders St. Ed’s community so we can ensure in the Chapel and we were honoured Fields, Keep the Home Fires Burning and the work of their beneficiaries continues. and delighted to welcome St. Ed’s OSE Lt I vow to thee my country, and whilst On behalf of the Headmaster, Mr Wright Col (Ret’d) Crispin Black MBE to address photos of the school’s 81 OSE’s appeared and Mr Taylor, thank you so much the congregation. Lt Col Black was a on a screen, the school fell silent as we for your support during our 22-year-old second lieutenant with the remembered them. Remembrance week. Welsh Guards in the Falklands War and was on the HMS Sir Galahad when it was To express their gratitude, the There But bombed by Argentinian forces. He also Not There committee have prepared At the going down served in Northern Ireland, headed the a unique code (STEDSTOMMY10) of the sun and in U.K. Defence Intelligence Staff’s Yugoslav that gives us all, and the wider St. Ed’s the morning, we will Crisis Cell, and was posted to the British community a 10% saving on their 10” remember them. government’s Cabinet Office to work Tommies. This can be redeemed at What’s been going on ..... We’re going on a bear hunt Harvest Festival Our children in Reception, Forms 1 and 2 celebrated Harvest Festival by performing a wonderful assortment of songs and poems for the enjoyment of their parents, the Headmaster and our Lower Prep teaching staff. Having presented their food offerings to the altar, the children treated their proud audience to a collection of fantastic performances, including one particular song highlighting their strong dislike of sprouts! Following tradition, the children’s donations were taken to a local Food Bank, this year Headley, for those in the community who may need a little help.