News Highlights

Remembrance Day Services

Annual Remembrance Day services and activities took place throughout the School from Early Years to Sixth Form to commemorate and remember those who have been lost to war.

This year, services were held differently, reflecting the times in which we are currently living. In Prep, Mr Stockdale filmed a virtual assembly that saw him talking to the children about former students who had been lost in the war and then visiting Flaybrick Cemetery in Birkenhead, to pay his respects at the grave of J. R. Mac Swiney, MC, 10th Battalion of the King’s Regiment (Liverpool Scottish) who lost his life on the 2nd November 1918, just nine days before the end of the war. Mr Stockdale then recorded himself in the School Chapel to show the children the war memorial, displaying the names of all students lost, along with two members of staff. The assembly was streamed into each classroom at 10.45am and was then followed by the two minutes silence.

In Seniors, Years 7 to Upper Sixth, paid their respects on School Field which was a move away from the traditional service held in Bushell Hall. The field was marked out in advance with students standing two metres apart with their year group to ensure social distancing was adhered to. Mr Vicars and Father Mark addressed the audience from a central stage. Former students who had lost their lives in conflict were read out by Head Students, Archie Parker-Goff and Lizzie Hyatt, in the Roll of Honour. The Last Post was played by Lower Sixth student Natasha Keeling, and The Reveille was played by Tom Molloy, Year 11 student.

Mr Vicars commented, “circumstances meant we either had to conduct a virtual Remembrance Service, and concede to Covid, or be creative and create a fitting tribute to the fallen. We chose the latter, and the result, with the behaviour of the students impeccable, was a poignant tribute to all those Birkenhead School families who sacrificed so much.”

Given the importance of the occasion, and being unable to guarantee the weather, a virtual Remembrance Day service was recorded in advance, should it have not been possible for today’s service to have taken place, and we are delighted to share this below along with Mr Stockdale’s assembly.

Father Mark commented, “It has been a privilege to join with the whole School in remembering those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Today we have respectfully, and, with due reverence, honoured the fallen in a very different way. In a year that is so far from the normal, our students wanted to mark this occasion together, as a community.”

Other activities also took place throughout the School. Mrs Vicars created a beautiful display of poppies surrounding a human silhouette. Tags were then placed between the poppies with written tributes naming former students who had been lost and thank you messages from current students. The display was on show during todays service and will now be placed on permanent display within the library.

In English, Year 8 studied War Memorial by World War I poet, Siegfried Sassoon and performed it to their peers during lessons.

Poppy displays were also created by pupils from our very youngest children in Nursery through to our Sixth Form students. Children from Nursery visited the School Chapel and presented their creations to Father Mark so that these could be displayed with the others on the altar.

Other displays were placed along the edge of School Field and next to the Ashcroft Steps, which were built in memory of three brothers; William, Edward and Frederick Ashcroft.

Mrs Pankhurst, who organised the day's service was moved to retain this, most important of commemorations in these socially distanced times. “In moments of crisis it is tempting to be more introspective. However, here at Birkenhead School we encourage our students to look outwards, and remember not only the fallen, but also those struggling and recently bereaved within our community. Thus, standing together, was a symbol of the strength of community in times of difficulty.”

Birkenhead School and AJIS

By Mr FitzHerbert, Head of Prep

The Association of Junior Independent Schools is a vibrant organisation of 32 schools across the North West of England. AJIS (as it is known) was founded in 1987 by David Franklin (Head of Prep at Birkenhead School from 1977 to 1990). He organised and hosted an initial meeting of 14 Independent Junior School Heads, during which they established a constitution and decided to arrange termly Heads’ meetings. Other independent Junior schools across the North West soon joined and the association became firmly established.

Harry FitzHerbert joined AJIS in 2013, on his appointment as Head of Prep here at Birkenhead School and, having just relocated with his family from Madrid, he recalls hosting the Association’s 79th Heads’ Meeting in his very first term. “This ‘surprise’ was a parting gift from my predecessor, Janet Skelly, and it turned out to be the start of a fascinating journey for me. We had an excellent meeting and the Heads particularly enjoyed their three-course lunch with table service – something Birkenhead School is renowned for! Everyone was so warm, friendly and supportive and I realised this could become a valuable support network for me in my new job.”

At the AGM, which took place the following term, Mr FitzHerbert was elected to the Steering Committee. He took a keen interest in developing further opportunities for pupils through fixtures and events, and also for staff through subject meetings and training courses.

In September 2018, when Mr FitzHerbert attended the annual AJIS Conference, he had now served on the Steering Committee for 5 years. The position of Chair was about to become vacant and, before the AGM began, the outgoing Chair asked him if he would be interested in being proposed for the role. Mr FitzHerbert said he’d be delighted to be proposed and, if elected, would willingly take on the role. At the AGM, he was unanimously voted in and so that very evening, he found himself having to make an after dinner speech!

He thoroughly enjoyed his first year as Chair, hosting another meeting at Birkenhead School – and of course another amazing lunch! AJIS launched a new series of Maths, English and Science courses for staff and these proved very popular. Various long-standing Heads reached retirement and new Heads joined, so Mr FitzHerbert was often busy sorting out role allocation as the positions of Secretary, Activities Coordinator and Courses Coordinator all needed filling. With the 100th Heads Meeting due to take place in May 2020, Mr FitzHerbert decided there ought to be an event to mark this milestone. He put it to Steering who all agreed and, a year in advance, Mr FitzHerbert set about organising a conference in the Lake District. He invited current and former Heads and arranged a key note speaker and a formal dinner. Sadly, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event had to be postponed and it is still yet to take place. In the meantime, Mr FitzHerbert has been chairing regular video meetings for the AJIS Heads and these have proved an invaluable way of sharing practice and discussing approaches as the Heads guide their schools through these unprecedented times. At the 2020 AGM (which had to be a virtual meeting), having completed 2 years in the role of Chair, Mr FitzHerbert was unanimously re-elected. With three new Heads joining the association, the latest initiative is a buddy system – experienced Heads within the association making themselves available to provide support and advice for new Heads.

As the 2021-2022 academic year begins, the AJIS Heads are really looking forward to resuming in-person meetings and they all hope the conference in the Lake District will be able to go ahead this year. However, what the Heads are most looking forward to is the full re-start of AJIS sports fixtures and cultural events. “At the heart of AJIS is the commitment of member schools to provide great opportunities for pupils. The other Heads and I can’t wait to see our schools competing and collaborating with each other again. Whilst ensuring that the safety of our pupils and staff remains our top priority, we will work tirelessly to provide exciting interschool opportunities for the children.” He thoroughly enjoyed his first year as Chairman and hosted another meeting at Birkenhead School – and of course another amazing lunch. AJIS launched a new series of Maths, English and Science courses for staff and these proved very popular. Various long-standing Heads reached retirement and new Heads joined, so the Chairman was often busy sorting out role allocation within Steering as the Secretary, Activities Coordinator and Courses Coordinator positions all needed filling. It was decided at Steering that, with the 100th Heads Meeting due to take place in May 2020, there ought to be an event to mark this milestone. A year in advance, Mr FitzHerbert set about organising a conference in the Lake District. He invited current and former Heads and arranged a key note speaker and a formal dinner. Sadly, due to the Covid pandemic, the event had to be postponed and it is still yet to take place. In the meantime, Mr FitzHerbert has been chairing regular video meetings for the AJIS Heads and these have proved an invaluable way of sharing practice and discussing approaches as the Heads guide their schools through these unprecedented times.

At this year’s AGM (which had to be a virtual meeting), having completed two years in the role of Chairman, Mr FitzHerbert was unanimously re-elected. With three new Heads joining the association, the latest initiative is a buddy system – experienced Heads within the association making themselves available to provide support and advice for new Heads. As Mr FitzHerbert embarks on his second term as Chairman, he can’t help wondering if he will be able to host the 100th Heads Meeting as planned. However, what he is most looking forward to is the day when matches, tournaments and cultural events for AJIS pupils can resume: “at the heart of AJIS is the commitment of member schools to provide great opportunities for pupils through the collaboration of our schools. The other Heads and I can’t wait to receive the Government go ahead for our inter-school fixtures and events to resume, but rest assured the safety of our pupils and staff will always remain our top priority.”