The direct connection with NSB was heard through the stories of students who walked the same halls as we do today, who enter through the same red doors, who wore the same badge and shared the same values of integrity, of speaking up for those who do not have a voice and speaking out against divisiveness, the value of community and respect. Two of those NSB students were George Ellard who was killed in action on 25th September 1915 aged just 18 - he disappeared on the first day in the battle of Loos and his body was never recovered, and Alan George Peabody who lost his life on July 8th, 1944 aged 20 as part of operation Charnwood, the attack on Caen.

At the end of the service everyone stood to pay their respects during the two minute silence and Donnacha MacManus beautifully played The Last Post.  Then, led by Mrs Bradley-Brophy, Mr Goswell and Charlie Townsend, our Head Boy, six hundred Sixth Form students and staff silently walked past the Hornbeam tree where a wreath was laid. This is our living memorial, propagated from the last surviving tree in Delville Wood, France, following The Battle of the Somme in World War One. The honour to be able to grow this was bestowed on NSB when a former Head Boy, when only in Year 8, won a poetry competition within the theme of World War One:

The last witness stood over the floor of what was thriving woodland,

What was lush green and beautiful was destroyed and had become a desolate wasteland,

The place which was the hornbeam’s castle of green,

Was destroyed by a war when they could not intervene,

In a battle which was not theirs to fight,

The trees were destroyed by men, who obliterated without right,

As bodies were abandoned and the stench of blood filled the air,

Soldiers were left by their enemies, who did not give a care,

But still stood strong a single hornbeam,

Who suffered from all of the violence which it had seen,

After witnessing the barbarity caused by many tank drivers,

This tree, it can be said, is the final survivor.

By Jacob Benhayoun

The walk continued into the 1911 Hall and past our war memorial which commemorates the 194 NSB students and staff who gave their lives in the two world wars. The inscription reads, "Mors Janva Vitae", meaning 'death the door to life'. The memorial is inscribed with their names and for many this is one of the only places they are remembered. In our halls, as part of our community.

As Charlie reminded us at the beginning of the service;

"Every year we come together to reflect on those who have lost their lives in war, and to consider what their legacy means to us as a community. At NSB, we carry a unique, proud history; where many former students and staff served and fell in conflicts around the world. This shared history is a powerful thread that unites us all. Once NSB, always NSB."

At 11 am the whole school stood in a two minutes’ silence to pay their respects.

Thank you to the Sixth Form Students and Miss Kennedy, and to all involved, for ensuring this proud tradition continues. 

Remembering.

A man’s destination is not his destiny,

Every country is home to one man

And exile to another.

Where a man died bravely

At one with his destiny, that soil is his.

Let his village remember him.

 

On the sporting front there was an impressive 40 point win for the U16 Basketball team in the National Cup against a Kents Hill team who had won the U14 National Cup last season. The NSB side effortlessly moved through the gears with a particularly impressive first quarter points haul of 17 for outstanding point guard Oli Casey. The U13B footballers had a much more nail biting end to end affair against Arnold Academy, Bedford in their National Cup fixture coming back from 3-1 down to win by 5 goals to 4 with virtually the last kick of the game. The injury-time winner was scored by Reuben Buckley who had a superb overall game scoring two crucial goals on debut. 

All four of the NSB National Cup Rugby sides are still going strong  in their respective age group competitions, however both the U15s and the U18s were pushed to the wire in their Regional Semi-Finals this week. The U15s, full of confidence from their St Joseph's Festival win, travelled to play a robust Bedford School side equally buoyant from winning the Langley U15 Festival. The Bedford crowds were out in force, ramping up the pressure on the NSB boys who showed steely determination to forge and lock on to a close lead throughout the game, eventually winning by the closest of margins -  20 points to 19. It was then the turn of the U18s, who were up against one of the strongest school sides in the Midlands in Bromsgrove School. The game, played in front of a big crowd under the NSB lights, was richly entertaining throughout. Bromsgrove played well, skilfully exploiting attacking space but NSB countered with enough flair and defensive nous to keep the opposition at arms length and finished up the upside of a 36 points to 29 scoreline. The U18s play Old Swinford Hospital at home next Wednesday in the Regional Final (last 16) - 3.45pm and the U15s will play Samuel Whitbread Academy in their Regional Final the week after - spectators are warmly welcome to both games. NSB rugby fans are also encouraged to watch the richly talented NSB U14s in their Rd 3 National Cup fixture, also against Samuel Whitbread Academy, next Thursday (20th) at 3.45pm on the First XV pitch.

 

There are some big events at the Cripps Theatre to look forward to over the coming months. The ever-popular NSB Music Fish and Chip Quiz night tonight is sold out but tickets are now on sale for our festive Christmas Concert on Thursday 4^th December at 7pm, the hilarious NSB Staff Panto on Thursday 11^th December at 6pm (student showing at lunchtime in school, tickets to be released soon), Jazz @The Cripps on Sunday, January 25^th  in collaboration with professional 'Down for the Count' Swing Orchestra and our KS3 Drama performance of Robin Hood on Thursday 5^th and Friday, 6^th of February.  

 

Richard Bernard

Headteacher