Remembrance Sunday – Marking 100 Years

For five days the senior cadets were busy selling poppies around school, and on Thursday they made their own personal tribute to the Old Boys who fell in the Great War, planting named crosses on the Headmaster’s lawn. Sunday 11 November was, of course, the main event in our acts of Remembrance as a very large congregation of pupils, parents, staff and OCs gathered under grey skies. To mark the 100 years, a special guard of honour slow marched onto parade and bowed their heads as the Head Boy, Sgt Haynes, read out the school’s Roll of Honour. Then, to the evocative strains of Tipperary, a 150-strong parade of cadets marched on under the command of CSgt Jack Palmer to pay their respects. After words from the Padre and the Headmaster and a poem beautifully read by FSgt Charlotte Cross, silence fell across the country and thoughts turned to terrible and humbling sacrifices made for our peace and freedom. At the Last Post, played beautifully by cadets under Mr Brian Hill, CWO Emma Knight lowered the CCF Banner in tribute, before the Reveille brought it up again as a symbol of the new life so dearly paid for. This year more than ever, the service was a sobering reminder of the destruction of warfare and a statement of the gratitude of the living for the sacrifices of the dead. All the cadets and bandsmen who took part deserve great credit for their efforts, on Sunday and throughout the week, to honour and remember their forefathers.

Lt Mathew Owen

Recital of Remembrance 

Our chapel choir (ETS) and Chamber Choir once again performed an annual ‘Recital of Reflection and Contemplation’ following the Remembrance Service on Sunday 11 November. The recital, held in the Wilberforce Hall, continued the annual tradition of a short, poignant performance where powerful texts are chosen to further commemorate the day. As always, both ETS and Chamber Choir gave polished performances of sacred pieces which included old and modern settings. Parents, Old Caterhamians and staff were moved by the recital and congratulations must go to all of the singers for their continued dedication to their role in providing excellent music for whole-school occasions.

We asked Old Cats what Remembrance Day meant to them, Click here to see the memories shared by the Caterham School community.

 

Following the morning service and parade, the rain cleared and Old Cats enjoyed lunch in the Refectory or headed over to the Leathem Room for refreshments and an afternoon of sport.

Click here to view photos of the days events.

Old Caterhamians Recent Leavers v School 1st XII match report

After a wonderful Remembrance service, the current 1st XII and former #laxcats took to the pitch for the annual Old Cats’ lacrosse match. A very competitive match throughout, however the trophy returned to the current school girls with a final score of 8-5. Thank you again to all the current, and former pupils and parents who made it another successful Old Cats Day! Already looking forward to next year!

Jen Simpson

Old Caterhamians Recent Leavers v School 1st XV match report

A tremendous day was had by all on Sunday with two fiercely competitive matches of Rugby for Old Cats on Remembrance Day. The matches were played in tremendous Rugby spirit with all players showing passion, respect and ultimately enjoyment as they squared off for winter bragging rights with the 1st xv and Old Cats taking the honours in their respective games. Both the Recent Leavers and Presidents XV showed the spirit of Rugby is well and truly thriving at Caterham. I can’t thank everyone involved enough for making it such a memorable occasion. Special mention to the 1st and 2nd XV Players involved who backed up from the tough fixtures the day before at Sutton Valence. We can’t wait to make next season bigger and better than ever!

Wade Kelly

Old Caterhamians RFC v President’s XV match report

It’s worth recalling on this significant Remembrance Day that the winners of the match between the Recent Leavers and the School are presented with the Rignall Cup in memory of Paul Rignall, OC who died following injury in his first season at OCRFC.   Similarly, the winners of the match between OCRFC and the President’s XV receive the Jackson Memorial Cup in memory of Simon Jackson, OC, who, like his father and brother, also played for OCRFC. Simon lost his life in a tragic accident at an early age and he is remembered during a few moments silence when the players line up each year for the kick off.

Traditionally, the OCRFC team comprises players from throughout the club, irrespective of the side for which they normally play on a Saturday, and the OCA President’s XV is made up of players who have an association with the School,  such as former club members who no longer live locally, those who have moved on to play elsewhere and members of staff, both current and former.

Without league or cup status at stake in this fixture, players feel able to take more risks and innovate to a degree that prudence normally forbids. The 2018 match certainly followed this uninhibited approach from the start with the club pouncing on a President’s XV mistake to take an early lead. It was particularly pleasing to see a number of younger players who had come up through the club’s junior sides acquitting themselves with confidence at senior level. Both teams played throughout in the spirit of the occasion, eschewing shots at goal and running the ball at every opportunity with the club maintaining its early lead throughout to finish with a 38:10 win, reversing the result of the previous year when the President’s XV ran out 32:12 winners.

Bill Broadhead

Lacrosse OCs 5 v School 8
Rugby OCs 34 v School 10
Rugby OCs 38 v Presidents XV 10