SPECIAL ASSEMBLY FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II

On Tuesday, 13th September, the School held a special whole School assembly in the Gymnasium to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s life.

While students entered the Gymnasium, a lone piper gifted us a sad tune in signal of mourning.

His Majesty’s Ambassador to Uruguay, Faye O’Connor, was present and, in her speech, referred to different periods of Queen Elizabeth’s life. Growing up while she never expected to become queen, but when she was barely ten and after the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII in 1936, she realised this would be her destiny. The Ambassador also talked about the queen’s family: her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and the number of her favourite corgis that surrounded Elizabeth throughout her life. The Ambassador then spoke about the queen´s death in Balmoral, Scotland, one of her favourite castles, and the procession of her coffin that travelled all the way to London, where her four children stood vigil. She encouraged the students to view the queen’s funeral on Monday, 19^th September, which is a sight that none of us has ever seen.

Students then stood for a minute’s silence in memory of the queen. In his speech, Mr Rosevear,  mentioned that we would no longer sing “God save the Queen” but now, for the first time since 1952 we would sing “God save the King.” 

Some other events at School marked the passing of a great monarch. On Thursday, as soon as the news spread through the School, the Union Jack was lowered to half-mast, TVs were turned on, some students sung God Save the Queen for a final time in unison and a minute of silence was organised in many classes. Some Form 6 girls printed some photos of the Queen and placed them in their class’ window, where they put some flowers they brought from their own gardens. Mr Rosevear signed the book of condolence in the British Embassy in Uruguay in representation of The British Schools of Montevideo.

Form 5 students crafted a poster with messages that was sent to the UK and laid amongst the flower wreaths and other tributes in Green Park. It is important to note that many of these actions sprung from the spontaneous motivation of the students.

Click here to read Mr Rosevear's speech.