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An Invitation to the Palace

Nathaniel Scott Cree

On the morning of Thursday 16 January 2020, a group of pupils and staff from St Vincent de Paul had the rare honour and privilege of being invited to take part in a special event, hosted by HRH the Duke of Sussex at Buckingham Palace. With physical education maintaining a high presence on the curriculum at the school, the children were chosen following their recent success as winners of the Westminster Primary Schools’ Tag Rugby competition (an honour they have held for three consecutive years).

The Duke was hosting the official draw for the Rugby League World Cup 2021, and the event was to be broadcast live on the BBC and online around the world. The children and staff were joined by dignitaries from the 21 nations taking part, alongside special guests ex-England rugby league professional, Jason Robinson, and Olympic medallist, Dame Katherine Grainger. The World Cup will be held in venues across England during the autumn of 2021 and, in a first for a major sporting event, the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions will take place concurrently. Although there was already plenty of interest in the draw, it was given heightened focus following the announcement the previous week that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex intended to step away from senior royal duties. Was this to be Prince Harry’s final public appearance for some time?

Of the 12 Year 6 pupils who attended, three were tasked with assisting with the live draw (a huge responsibility!), whilst the remaining nine exhibited their rugby skills in front of the assembled media outside in the garden of the Palace where a special mini rugby pitch had been created. Two rugby league ambassadors led the session with the pupils. With the excited and energetic children having warmed-up and taken a few tumbles on the hallowed turf of the Palace garden (complete with mud smears on the official world cup sweaters they were given to wear), the Duke soon appeared

10 A demonstration master class

outside to observe the high-spirited rugby on show and to speak with rugby officials and the children in the full gaze of the media and cameras present.

Prince Harry spent quality time with our pupils, asking each one their name and shaking their hand in turn. He seemed at ease, yet surprised to learn that the children were all from the same class and school, just a stone’s throw from the Palace itself. Alas, with his smart suit and shoes he was not prepared to join in with the game, but no doubt he was tempted! Having posed for photographs with the young players, the Duke and his young guests headed back inside the Palace to assemble ready for the live draw.

Incidentally, this might just be the only time in the history of Buckingham Palace (I, for one, am keen to know) that invited guests have taken their plush seats in the Throne Room, having left a trail of mud up the grand stairs and along the lavishly decorated hallway. The Palace staff certainly had their work cut out ensuring as much of it was removed from the children’s clothes and shoes before coming inside! The three children held their nerve to present the different pots of balls as the draw for the different competitions unfolded, before all present gathered for a final group photo in front of the three splendid trophies on display. Which countries will get their hands on them next year?

Once this was completed, there was the small matter of some media interviews for the children, who again came across maturely and confidently. Inevitably, the line of the reporters’ questions leaned towards what the children thought of their Royal host. Here are some of their own reflections of this exciting and memorable day: ‘It was an honour to be in Buckingham Palace. I was so excited and nervous as I had to hand the balls for the draw to Dame Katherine Grainger. Seeing myself on the TV was a bit strange!’ (Neil) ‘The Palace was very grand, and I got to speak to Prince Harry. He was very nice and comfortable to talk to. We had front row seats for the draw too!’ (Kamina)

The formal group photo for the 2021 World Cup draw

‘When I gave the pot of balls to Prince Harry, I was nervous, but he winked at me and that made me feel more relaxed. Afterwards I spoke to the BBC and ITV and they asked me questions about Harry and the Palace. It was a fantastic day and experience.’ (Ivanesa) Overall, it was a very special occasion for our school, and the children were excellent ambassadors not just for St Vincent de Paul, but for the sport of rugby and primary

Silence for siLENT !

Million Minutes – a Catholic social action charity – stands up for young people who don't have a voice in society, and helps them to transform their lives and their world by giving them a voice. We know that young people are the future and we have faith in them that they will work for the common good, in order to help everyone live a life of dignity.

This year we have launched the 2020 Lenten initiative – siLENT. Million Minutes feels Lent is a great time to try something different: silence. Take time to give up the things that fill life with noise and restlessness. By staying siLENT, you will be standing in solidarity with young people who

Oremus physical education. We are certainly very proud of them. We hope that we might one day get to visit the palace again, but in the meantime, look forward to watching the competition when it gets under way in 18 months’ time and recalling this wonderful day.

Mr Scott Cree is the Head Teacher of St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School.

don’t have a voice, for whom silence isn't a choice. A ’Million Minutes of Silence’ is a really simple idea – each minute is sponsored to raise money for projects supporting young people. Throughout Lent 2020 schools, parishes, communities and individuals will help clock up a million minutes! Each minute is sponsored to raise money for youthled social action projects across the country. People can take part in different ways: • Collective silence in school/ groups – e.g. you could set up a silent assembly, choose an hour together, or do a ’silent relay’ by each staying silent for an hour and passing on the ’baton’! • 24 hours straight – Just go for it! Choose a date in Lent (26 February to 12 April) and start getting sponsored. • No Phone or Social Media over Lent! – Instead of spending all those hours online, spend just half an hour a day in silence (and an hour on Good Friday and Holy Saturday). It adds up to 24 hours. While you stay siLENT we will be making lots of noise about you via our social media pages, in order to help you share your story and reach your fundraising target. See: millionminutes.org/silent/