RESPECTFUL students have honoured one of their own fallen heroes alongside those who gave their lives for their country.
Hundreds of students from The Education Village, Darlington, paid their respects with a two minute silence during a remembrance service led by Haughton Academy students from the Darlington Churchill Army Cadet Force Detachment.
The nine cadet volunteers led the march, carrying a wreath of poppies to a plaque within the school commemorating SAS Corporal John Newton, a former pupil killed in action in the Falkland Islands conflict.
Lance Corporal Katie Cockburn, 15, of Darlington, who placed the poppy wreath above Corporal John Newton’s memorial, said: “It is important that people who gave their lives in conflict are always remembered and their legacy upheld.
“I feel very proud to have been involved in today’s service remembering not only those service men and women who died in the past but also those who have served in recent conflicts around the world.”
The service was organised by PE teacher Adele Norris following a week of assemblies and tutor session where students learnt the meaning behind the Royal British Legion’s poppy symbol and its relevance in today’s society.
“Every year The Education Village holds a remembrance service to raise awareness of the courage of those who fought and died for our country,” said Mrs Norris.
“It is also an opportunity to show our respect to Corporal John Newton, one of our former pupils, who lost his life in battle in 1982 aged just 23.
“We have been selling poppies all week in school, with the help of our charity prefect Alexcia Vairy, and all of our students wore them with such pride today.”
Preceding the two-minute silence Haughton Academy, head girl Gemma Challans, 15, read the poem Flanders Field by John McCrae followed by a playing of The Last Post.
“It was a real honour to be asked to perform a reading today,” said Gemma.
“It was my way of contributing to Remembrance Day and showing my respect to veterans past and present.”