NJC Observes Remembrance Day

On November 11th, the NJC community came together to honour the service and sacrifice of active and retired Canadian armed forces members around the world.
To begin the day, the Foyer Council led the students in the National Anthem, and a moment in silence. Remarks were given by the Head of School, Mr. Andrew Keleher, before the students welcomed (virtual) guest speaker Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) Chris Allen, who spoke about his own journey serving in the armed forces. 

LCol Allen has served in the military since 1985, and has been stationed across North America and the rest of the globe. From 2003-04 he was deployed on several tours in Afghanistan, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross for leadership in combat. In 2017, LCol Allen moved to Stuttgart, Germany as the Senior Special Operations Liaison Officer for CANSOFCOM to the U.S. Special Operations Command Africa; and he has since resided there with his family. The fact that LCol Allen’s daughter is a current NJC student, made his presentation even more impactful for the Class of 2021. 

Following LCol Allen’s presentation,“The Last Post”, a song frequently used in Remembrance Day ceremonies, used to draw the symbolic association between the soldier’s last duty of “sitting sentry” (death) and his “rising” above his mortal duties (reveille) was played. NJC Teacher Mr. Reynolds gave a presentation on Canada’s war effort, through the lens of his (Veteran) Father. NJC ‘21 Jack M. read the famous memorializing poem, “In Flanders Fields”. 

The morning concluded with a traditional wreath laying ceremony. Remarks were given by NJC ‘21 Student Layla A. in English and French; and the remainder of the Foyer Council, as well as our students of Canadian military families served as wreath bearers. It was a beautiful morning in Neuchâtel, and our students appreciated the opportunity to come together to observe the holiday with other Canadians around the world. 

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1. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/remembrance-ceremony/11.html
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Neuchâtel Junior College offers the unique opportunity to study Canadian curriculum abroad. While living in Switzerland in a French community, students enjoy an international education through travel and experiential learning in Europe. Gap year and Grade 12  high school students gain international experience and develop independence and life skills that prepare them for university and the global workplace.

A Canadian high school in Switzerland | Grade 12 & Gap

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Neuchâtel Junior College
Crêt-Taconnet 4
2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
011.41.32.722.1860 (from North America)
info@njc.ch

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36 Toronto Street, Suite 850
Toronto, Ontario M5C 2C5, Canada
416.368.8169 or 1.800.263.2923
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