Over the course of the last week, I have been inspecting another school, elsewhere in the country, a privilege I have had for over fifteen years. It is always fascinating to visit an unfamiliar school and gain an understanding of all aspects of daily life within a short and intense period. It is invariably a wonderful opportunity for a 'scholastic kleptomaniac' where one can observe something distinctive that marks a school out and is something that is genuinely impressive – facilities, provision, traditions, or how things are done. 

Returning to School today allows me to witness something that is truly different and few, if any, schools do elsewhere in the country. At the end of today, the pupils will process in silence from their respective Houses to Chapel where they gather for the annual service of Remembrance; and as that service ends, 98 of those pupils will collect a photograph of each of the 98 Old Dunelmians who gave his life during the Great War, and the School will file past, once again in silence. As a memorial to the fallen of the Great War built by subscription just under 100 years ago, this service clearly binds us to the past but is equally a moment of the present when we pause and reflect on all those who have served and serve, who have been injured or lost their lives in service, and their families and loved ones. 

As a School, the highest honour we can pay to such Old Dunelmians is to remember them, and we do this as well as any.

I offer my best wishes for the weekend and those participating in the Durham LDS and the fixtures against Woodhouse Grove.