School ‘Poppy Tree’ tribute continues to grow

A moving tribute to those who lost their lives through war took place in Terrington St Clement on Friday 9 November, when students held their annual Remembrance Service.

Led by around 20 uniformed cadets and accompanied by some of the school’s musicians, the whole Year 7 cohort at St Clement’s High School took part in a ceremony which involved each of them placing a bespoke, hand-made poppy in a ‘Remembrance Tree’.

The students were continuing a tradition that had been started at the school in 2018 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

“Every single member of our school community has made their own poppy that is unique, to represent all of the unique men and women who have died from our villages over the years of war,” explained Anton Modica, who is Head of History at St Clement’s and runs the project each year.

“Every new Year 7 and new member of staff makes one and they are all planted at our Remembrance Tree.

“During the event, the cadet students perform their parade and the musicians play a soundtrack. We then have our two-minute silence and reflect until break time.”

Other St Clement’s staff involved in marking the occasion included Head of Music Jo Kemp, Head of Design Technology Craig Falco and Shelley Bates, who jointly oversaw the poppy-making, and Head of Year 9 Matthew Reynolds, who performed ‘The Last Post’ on the bugle. 

“To our community, it has become a very significant event,” continued Mr Modica. “The students are well aware of the importance we place on remembering and reflecting on the contribution of our communities to World War I and all wars since.

“As they have created their own poppies, we believe it has given them, as a student body, an ownership of the Tree. It is something we’re very proud to show off to visitors.

“As the Tree has been well established now, younger students arrive looking forward to making their poppy and putting theirs in the Tree. It has become a key event in our school’s calendar.”

St Clement’s, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, also held tutor group Remembrance sessions across all year groups on Armistice Day on 11 November, with the whole school observing the 11am two-minute silence.​