The Sandwell Colleges Pay Their Respects with a Parade and Poppy Release at Poignant Remembrance Ceremony

Students, guests and colleagues gathered today at Sandwell College in West Bromwich to mark Armistice Day.

The student-led event began with uniformed Public Services students from The Sandwell Colleges leading a remembrance parade through the college to commemorate the memory of fallen soldiers.

CEO and Principal Lisa Capper MBE, welcomed special guests to the event, including West Midlands Deputy Lieutenant Gurpreet Bhatia, and Government advisor and former Sandwell councillor Ahmad Bostan.

The 30-strong formation of learners on parade was commanded by Level 3 Public Services student Summer Brown, who belongs to the Staffordshire & West Midlands North Sector Army Cadet Force.

The remembrance event included readings from a selection of E-sports and Public Services students who recited poems they had written themselves to mark the occasion, whilst a collection of war poetry was presented by History and English students.

Guests also heard from Dr David Craik, of Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form, who paid tribute to former college mathematics lecturer Private William Candlin who died in the First World War, whilst learners shared stories of family members or those connected to the wider college community.

A poignant video portrayal of college staff’s own relatives and ancestors who bravely gave their sacrifice in battle was also shown.

A college cenotaph was beautifully crafted by Construction learners and the traditional two-minute silence was followed by the laying of wreaths, many of which had been made by learners and teams across the college.

Handmade red poppies, created by Foundation Learning students, were released to flutter down from the atrium bridges as the college community paused and reflected on the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces.

CEO and Principal, Lisa Capper MBE, said: “Our Remembrance event holds a special place in our College calendar. For many weeks, learners have been busy crafting materials, rehearsing the parade and writing poetry for the event and the contributions today were felt throughout.

“We thank our special guests, learners and colleagues for joining us and supporting the event as we honour fallen war heroes and all those who have given their lives for us.”

The event concluded with a moving, musical piece delivered by Head of Creative Arts Michelle King.

The Sandwell Colleges are Sandwell College and Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form College in West Bromwich and Cadbury Sixth Form College in Kings Norton.  The event was live streamed to all of The Sandwell Colleges for learners and colleagues to participate.