Remembering her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II
Over the past week, staff and pupils at The Leys have joined with millions around the world in mourning the loss of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The School has been observing the national 10-day mourning period and reflecting on this significant milestone in the country’s history.
On Friday 9 September, our senior pupils attended a Chapel Service where the sermon focussed on the life of Queen Elizabeth, and included prayers for Her late Majesty and a rendition of the National Anthem played on our organ. In sports fixtures throughout the period of mourning a two-minute silence is being observed, and earlier this week our Headmaster, Martin Priestley, gave an address to the whole school in Headmaster’s Assembly which he ended saying: “Today we pay tribute to both sides of her existence: to the extraordinary individual woman, wise, insightful, adaptable, fiercely loyal and dedicated to her vocation; and also, at the same time, to our longest-serving Queen.
“Elizabeth Windsor fulfilled the latter role with unflinching conviction for more than 70 years. She executed the role so well, for so long, and through such changing times, that her absence leaves a hole that might yet prove impossible to fill. In the coming days and months, many millions, in the UK, in the Commonwealth, and in many other countries, will mourn her, as I do today. It is an honour to pay tribute to her extraordinary and exemplary life of service. May she rest in peace.”
On Sunday 18 September a Chapel Service is planned where we will hear musical tributes including the Chapel Choir singing Nunc Dimittis, and the National Anthem will be sung by the congregation. Pupils remaining in school on Monday 19 September will be able to watch the state funeral which is being broadcast from Westminster Abbey at 11.00am.