How the Hutchings memorial service started

In 1948, the Headmaster, Dennis Roper, had urged the School Trustees to approve funds for repairing the tomb of Revd Robert Sparke Hutchings at the Protestant Cemetery in Northam Road. The repairs were then carried out by Yeang Kah Chong, an Old Boy of the School and on the morning of Speech Day that year, a group of teachers and prefects, accompanied by Roper and Harold Cheeseman who was by then the Director of Education, gathered to lay a wreath bearing the school colours of light blue and white at the tomb. 

The short ceremony, the first of its kind since the School’s Centenary in 1916, was conducted by Archdeacon Stanley Collier. Roper later expressed hope that this meaningful act of remembrance should be observed annually. 

And indeed, it has continued to be observed on the morning of the 21st of October every year. It is a fine tradition to maintain. To mark the special occasion this year, the Hutchings Memorial Service at seven o'clock on 21 October 2016 morning is expected to be presided over by the Head of St George's Church, Bishop Charles Samuel.