Commemoration 2017

Today, St Clement Danes celebrated Commemoration in two memorable services. In The Strand, Years 7, 11, 12 and 13 were joined by staff, parents, Governors, Trustees and guests. Head Boy Matthew Leveridge carried the processional cross and Head Girl Mia O'Connell joined Dr Valentine in giving a reading. The address was given by Mr Butler who retired from the school as Deputy Head in July. He amused the assembled Year 7 students by talking to them about going to Bude as a Head of Year 7 15 years before any of them were born. As ever, Year 7 and the choir sang beautifully and the first orchestra sounded magnificent.

In Chorleywood, students from both St Clement Danes and Croxley Danes joined in a service in the Barbirolli Hall. The theme of the service was the origin of House names and a large number of students were involved in delivering presentations and performing musical numbers. The address was given by local vicar Reverend Horlock. He picked up the theme of the service in his talk by using a building metaphor, urging the students to build bridges not walls and act as a construction crane in their dealings with others, not a wrecking ball.

Many thanks, as ever, to all the members of staff and students who made both services so memorable. 'Commem' is a day Old Danes remember fondly and, with services like these, this comes as no surprise.