The girls at the Lower School were treated to a visit by ‘Nurse Lily’ and ‘Soldier Ben’ as part of a programme of Remembrance activities throughout this special centenary week of the 1918 Armistice.
Every girl from Reception through to Year 6 had the opportunity to make a poppy, write about what Remembrance means to them on a leaf and, excitingly, talk to Lily and Ben, two characters from the books ‘Where the poppies now grow’ and ‘Peace Lily’. The girls learnt about life in the trenches, including how to use a trench tool and what might be in a billy can, and also found out about how little equipment nurses had in the First World War - just a few bandages and some ointment, it seemed! We ended the day with a short reflective assembly which included a minute’s silence and left with a favourite song from the time - ‘Pack up your troubles’. A day of learning, experiencing and reflection: we will remember them.
Earlier in the week Year 2 were thinking about Remembrance, learning songs and listening to stories about World War One. The girls particularly enjoyed learning about the Christmas Day truce in 1914 and watched and discussed the Paul McCartney video, ‘Pipes of Peace’. They even reproduced the story using the sand pit and then re-enacting it on the school playground. We thought about how conflict can also lead to unexpected friendships and sang the song too!
Lower School and Senior School girls created poppy installations to mark Remembrance Day. The Lower School display takes pride of place at the front of the school with the Senior School one displayed in the hall as part of a special assembly held today.
The assembly was led by army veteran and history graduate John McKiernan who talked about lessons learnt from the WW1 and why it is so important to remember.
The Chamber Choir sang the ‘Peace Prayer’ composed by Head of Music Mrs Healey, with the Last Post played by Anne Capewell in Year 11 to mark the beginning and end of a two minute silence.
