2018 marked the centenary of the end of World War 1 and our school felt it was important to mark the event with a series of commemorative activities.
The whole school contributed to a large commemorative display in the school hall, which featured letters from soldiers, poems and art work from children of all ages.
Author, Adam Bushnell, worked with pupils across the school to create thought provoking character descriptions of soldiers and poems from the trenches. All class teachers choose class texts that focused on war. Class 2 read, “Where the Poppies Now Grow,” by Hilary Robinson, Year 3,4 and 5 read “War Game, ” by Michael Foreman and Year 6 read, “Goodnight Mr Tom, ” by Michael Magorian. The texts opened the children’s minds and imaginations to the issues caused by war and inspired them to write their own stories and poems.
The whole of Key Stage 2 visited Eden Camp Outdoor Museum, in North Yorkshire, to learn more about life during the war. They experienced real trenches, the sights, sounds and smells of an air raid and the perils of being a prisoner of war. The children enjoyed the day and learned so much to bring back to the classroom and apply to their learning in class.
In assemblies, children heard about the Battle of the Somme and prayed for the soldiers who lost their lives for our country.
We invited elderly residents from our Local Residential Home, to enjoy a Remembrance Day lunch. One of our visitors was 101 and enjoyed the World War songs playing during the lunch time. The guests talked to the children about their memories as children living through the aftermath of the war.
Overall, the commemoration was poignant and fitting for the occasion. Children, staff and parents took time to think about the impact the war had on the lives of those who lived it.
“Lest we forget.”
Mrs James (Headteacher)
Please watch our short video
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLYOCx_y4Jo?rel=0&w=853&h=480]
