The Pipes and Drums has seen another very eventful year this year. Though there were no visits to see the king or national competitions like last year, we were still kept remarkably busy.

We started off the year with our annual Harvest parade, soon followed by Remembrance. This year was a little different, as we had visitors from Gordonston School in Scotland to play with us. The band was significantly bigger, going from about 50 people to almost double that! Before the parade, we were told to learn a new tune that Gordonstoun play, and they were told to learn one of ours. The whole event was so much fun, and it was great to meet new people and learn about their school.

This year, the school celebrated its 140th anniversary and to commemorate this, in October, 140 selected students walked from Brookwood Station all the way back to school. The Band played for the students at every stop and once we returned to school, we were all welcomed back by the school and the new clock was unveiled. It was the most incredible experience ever, and we were all thoroughly exhausted by the end.

We are the only school that has ever been allowed to march down Whitehall, and every year we do just that. This year, our Whitehall parade went very well. Although the day was not as eventful as last year’s, as the 140th tour to Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral happened last year, the event was huge and the Band always enjoy Whitehall every year.

This year, at Patron’s parade, we performed a piece called Journey to Skye, which we have been working on since February. On the 28th of February, we had a masterclass with Simon Grant, Finlay MacDonald, and Paula Monahan from the Force. We learned the piece and also started the drill for it. The day was long and eventful, and we ended with an informal concert in the Chapel where we performed various pieces in small groups and in the amphitheatre performed what we had learned of Journey to Skye. The final performance at Patron’s went well and Mrs Scotson was incredibly happy with us at the end!

Every year, the Pipes and Drums go to Menin Gate in Ypres for an important event to commemorate those who lost their lives in the war. Every year the trip alternates between summer and winter. Last year, we went in February and this year we are going in July. Many people look forward to the Belgium trip every year because it is also a really good time to socialise and have fun with your friends. We have time to explore the town and get some belgian chocolate as well. It is always the highlight of everyone’s year.

Throughout the 140th year, many smaller events took place. Usually, a selection of about 15 students go to various events and perform as part of the commemorative tour. We have been to places like Queen’s Park, Rochester Park, St Alfege Church, and General Gordon’s family’s graves in Southampton.

To sum up, the 140th year for the Pipes and Drums had an eventful year and has represented the school with pride and excitement, starting the year off with a historic walk and finishing off the year with a trip to Ypres to show respect to those who have lost their lives in the place of the country we have today. The past year has created memories and experiences for the students who took part in them and has been a great year for parents and other students alike to watch. We look forward to another amazing year, full of exciting events and school spirit starting in September 2026

• Hannah