Commonwealth Service Trip 2022
On Monday 14th March, 8 students from Biddick Academy were invited to and attended the prestigious Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London along with 2000 other specially-invited citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations from around the world.
This special annual event celebrates the culture and diversity of the 54 nations of the Commonwealth and this year was attended by the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The Service was broadcasted live on BBC One and featured readings from the Prime Minister Boris and the Reverend Lord Sentamu as well as musical performances by Emeli Sande and Mica Paris (although our Year 7 students seemed to be more excited at spotting David Walliams in attendance!)
This trip helped the students gain a greater insight into and understanding of the role that ‘service’ plays in the lives of people and communities across the 54 Commonwealth nations as well as giving them opportunities to navigate efficiently through a busy city on foot and using the Underground, to visit sights such as Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and Downing Street and also shop for souvenirs.
Acting as ambassadors over the course of a long day, the students were an absolute credit to the Academy and even exercised their adaptability, resilience and mental toughness when faced with an unexpected train delay on the return leg of the journey – despite this setback, positivity and smiling faces pervaded.