Today, Great Sankey High School marked Remembrance Day, a day of reflection and tribute to those we have sadly lost.

 

We remembered the Warrington bombings of 1993, events that profoundly affected our town and the wider world. On Saturday 20th March 1993, at 12:25pm on Bridge Street, a bombing injured 56 people and tragically killed two children. Jonathan Ball, aged just 3, died at the scene while shopping for a Mother’s Day card with his babysitter. Tim Parry, who was a Year 7 student at our school, died five days later. These events remain a deeply significant part of our school and community history.

 

Since 1993, Great Sankey High School has designated the week in which the bombings occurred as GSHS Remembrance Week, with the Friday after Mother’s Day marked as Remembrance Day. This time allows us to remember not only the events of 20th March 1993 but also students and staff of GSHS who are no longer with us, and to reflect on those significant to us who have passed away, including:

 

Shafilea Ahmed, Steven Birdsall, Ryan Diamond, Steven Harris, L. Jane James, Rebecca Marshall, Simon Murray, Jean Newton, Tim Parry, Lois Preston, Amber Price, Gill Power, Tom Sephton, Patricia Smith, Jacqueline Spence, Jack Turner, Victoria Wynne Jones, Ella Hansford, Jo Stanton and Chris Bandell.

 

In addition, the school installed a timeline display from the Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Peace Centre near the staff room, thanks to the work of Mr Evans and a team of staff. This display ensures that the story of Tim, Jonathan, and the inspiring work of Colin and Wendy Parry is remembered by current and future generations of students and staff. The display was ready in time to be part of today’s memorial events.

 

This afternoon, an Act of Remembrance took place in the Tim Parry Memorial Garden, with our Head Boy and Head Girl laying flowers in memory. Within form rooms, students observed a period of silence at 2:15pm to remember all those we have lost and reflect on the people who have been important in their own lives.

 

The Memorial Service, held during Period 5, included a select group of students, representatives from the Parry family, our orchestra, and the JLT, before moving to the library. We thank everyone involved for helping us honour this important day.

 

Remembrance Day remains a cornerstone of our school community. It was a time to pause, reflect, and remember those who have shaped our lives and our school. Today, we came together to ensure their memories live on.