The Stonar Way 14.11.25

A passage from Hansard on 11 November 1918 records Prime Minister Lloyd George saying, “This is no time for words… our hearts are too full of gratitude.” Gratitude is more than a feeling; it is a recognition of the good in others and the impact they have on our lives. It nurtures connection, strengthens communities, and, as modern science now tells us, even promotes wellbeing. John F. Kennedy later echoed this sentiment: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

This year, our Act of Remembrance has coincided with both Anti-Bullying Week and Children in Need - an alignment that invites us to reflect not only on the sacrifices of the past, but on the everyday choices we make to build a kinder world. Remembrance asks us to honour those who suffered or died in conflicts, and those living with the consequences - bereavement, injury, or displacement. It reminds us that the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today were secured at immense human cost.

At Stonar, we mark this moment with our international reading of For the Fallen, reflecting the global nature of remembrance. Yet the most meaningful tribute we can offer is how we choose to live. Anti-Bullying Week calls us to use the “power of good” - to stand up for others, to show respect, to listen, to be thoughtful. Children in Need challenges us to extend that goodness further still, supporting those whose daily lives are shaped by hardship or vulnerability.

Gratitude, kindness and action are deeply connected. When we recognise what others have done for us, we are prompted to pay that goodness forward - through small gestures: a compliment, a smile, an apology, a helping hand. As we pause to remember, may we also resolve to live gratefully and generously, honouring the past by shaping a more compassionate future.