Lest We Forget: The Kibworth School Remembers

On Friday 9 November all 850 students, staff, governors and guests gathered in the sports hall for an incredibly moving remembrance assembly. Co-ordinated by Mr Smith of the English Department, the assembly was led by our Head Boy, Nathan Booker, and Head Girl, Lydia Redman, with readings from other staff and students. Music from the school orchestra with playing of the last post by two students was led by guest Paul Hings (whom you may have seen later that weekend playing The Last Post on Match of the Day).

Many thanks to our community guests – representatives of Kibworth & Fleckney Rotary Club, the Kibworth Chronicle, St Wilfrid’s Church, and Fleckney, Great Glen, Kibworth Beauchamp and Harcourt Parish Councils. We were pleased to welcome our very special guest, Kendall Sassoon, granddaughter of the famous war poet Siegfried Sassoon, who lives right here in Kibworth. Thank you all for sharing memories and giving up your time to join us. 

Our final act of remembrance was the laying of the The Kibworth School wreath at St Wilfrid’s Church on Remembrance Sunday. Year 9 student Michael Stockley, in his Army Cadet uniform, had the honour this year, watched by many of our other students who took part in the parade with the Scouts and Guides.

Thanks to all who worked so hard to organise the weekend’s events across our villages. The school is proud to have shared these experiences with such a wonderful community

As part of our activities to commemorate 100 years since the end of WW1, students and staff were invited to enter a competition to write an original poem, inspired by the work of the great war poets such as Owen, Brooke and Sassoon. All 58 entries now feature in an anthology, which will be available to read in Kibworth Community Library. Congratulations to Year 9 student Josh Carvell who was selected as the competition winner. His incredible poem, ‘Amidst the chaos of the darkest night’, was read as part of the remembrance assembly.

Amidst the chaos of the darkest night by Josh Carvell
Amidst the chaos of the darkest night,
With silent horrors, where bravery shadows fright.
With artillery pounding and silent creeps,
Away from the damp dirty trenches, deep.
These men were took in the prime of life,
Swept quickly away to death and night.
But amongst the mayhem their sacrifice, 
Has given us our choice of life
That we can live without tyranny,
Amongst our loved ones, we need not flee.
Though today their names will be lost,
We remember their deeds that paid the ultimate cost.
Amongst blood, fire and anguish they took a stand,
To protect our people and the English land.
Although caught in a bloody stalemate,
The commonwealth’s people remember their fate.
In November, on the eleventh day,
We will remember them in our own way.