Events held at St Paul’s School following the death of Queen Elizabeth II

This week, events were held to mark the death and celebrate the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

A whole school assembly was held on Tuesday 13 September. The occasion opened with a stately rendition of Elgar’s Nimrod, performed by Haolin Zhao on the violin and accompanied by Mr Fairbairn. Dr Beesley, Head of History, then gave an address in which he emphasised the principles of duty and service that the late Queen embodied. The assembly was closed by readings given by the Vice Captain of School, Noah Leach, and prayers led by the Chaplain, Rev Matthew Knox, before a minute’s silence.

On Wednesday 14 September, a service of Communion was held in the School Chapel for those pupils, staff and parents who wished to attend. Prayers were offered in thanksgiving for the Queen and for the new King. The Director of Music, Mark Wilderspin, composed a new motet to be performed by the Chapel Choir at the service (see the score below), a setting of the Wisdom of Solomon text “The souls of the righteous” (Wisdom 3:1-3).

In the Kayton Library, there is now a display of archive materials covering the time of the Queen’s reign, which pupils and staff are able to visit.