Remembrance Day at St. Joseph’s R.C. Primary School
This past week, our school community at St. Joseph’s came together to honour and remember those who have served and sacrificed in times of war. It was a moving and memorable experience for everyone involved, from our youngest pupils to our dedicated house captains and vice captains.
To deepen our reflection, each child wrote a prayer or wish for those currently experiencing the hardships of war. These heartfelt prayers will be displayed on a lovely prayer tree brought in by Mrs Westbrook, which will be placed next to Mary, Our Mother, in the foyer for the coming weeks. This thoughtful addition will serve as a reminder of our shared hope for peace and compassion for all affected by conflict.
To begin, last week, our house captains and vice captains visited each class, offering poppies for donations to support the Poppy Appeal. The importance of the poppy was shared, symbolising our respect and gratitude towards those who have given their lives for peace.
On Sunday, during Mass, we gathered outside with veterans, parish members, and Father Ben for a special Remembrance service. It was a humbling experience to stand alongside veterans and share a quiet, solemn two-minute silence in honour of the fallen. One of our very own pupils, Ava G., was chosen to lay a wreath at the memorial and give a salute alongside the veterans. It was a proud and respectful moment for our school community, and Ava represented St. Joseph’s with grace.
Today, back in school, we continued our Remembrance Day observance. At 11 am, the entire school paused for a two-minute silence. Pupils stood in quiet respect, reflecting on the lives lost and the importance of peace. This time allowed all of us, even our youngest pupils, to feel the impact of the day.
In preparation for Remembrance Day, Primary 5 to 7 classes worked with Mrs. Copeland on a creative project to commemorate the occasion. They created beautiful oil pastel artwork and made a wreath that was vibrant and full of care. Primary 1 to 4 also contributed to the remembrance display by crafting their own wreath and participating in other thoughtful activities related to Remembrance Day.
Today’s assembly, attended by Father Ben, was a reflective time for all. We learned the story of the poppy and why it has become a symbol of remembrance. Primary 5 to 7 took part in a unique activity called blackout poetry, where they used pages of text and “blacked out” certain words, leaving only select phrases to create poems inspired by remembrance themes. This activity encouraged them to think deeply about the words and concepts tied to remembrance, highlighting the power of language and reflection. Meanwhile, Primary 1 to 4 made more beautiful poppies, adding a lovely splash of red to our assembly space.
At the end of our assembly, each class presented its wreath to Father Ben, who will take them back to the church to display. This shared moment of respect and remembrance allowed us to connect with the wider parish community and reinforced the meaning behind this important day.
At St. Joseph’s, we are proud to continue the tradition of Remembrance Day, honouring the sacrifices made for our freedom and inspiring our pupils to value peace, respect, and reflection, considering how faith can help us all through difficult times
This Is Our Faith: Revealed Truth of God
- UNCRC Rights:
- Article 13 – Freedom of expression: Pupils shared their reflections through art, poetry, and discussions.
- Article 28 – Right to education: The Remembrance activities fostered learning about history, respect, and peace.
- Article 38 – War and armed conflicts: Learning about the impact of war and the sacrifices made by those who have served.
- SDGs:
- Goal 4: Quality Education – Activities encouraged inclusive and equitable quality education, fostering lifelong respect and empathy.
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Remembrance Day activities promoted peace, justice, and the importance of strong institutions to maintain these values.
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Engaging with Father Ben and the veterans strengthens community partnerships and reinforces a shared commitment to peace and remembrance.
- SHANARRI Indicators:
- Safe – Understanding the importance of peace helps pupils value a safe and stable environment.
- Achieving – Engaging in creative projects like blackout poetry and artwork supports literacy, expression, and personal achievement.
- Respected – Recognising the contributions of veterans and remembering the sacrifices made instils respect for others and their stories.
- Responsible – Participating in activities that honour veterans fosters a sense of responsibility and respect for peace.
- Included – The Remembrance activities ensured all pupils could participate and contribute, making them feel valued within the community.
- Meta-skills Developed:
- Communicating – Pupils shared their thoughts and feelings about Remembrance Day through poetry, art, and respectful silence.
- Feeling – The activities encouraged empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence, helping pupils connect with the significance of remembrance.
- Collaborating – Pupils worked together to create class wreaths and reflect on shared history, strengthening teamwork and community bonds.
- Leading – House captains and vice captains took initiative in distributing poppies and guiding others in remembrance activities.
- Curiosity – Learning about the history of Remembrance Day and why we wear poppies sparked pupils’ curiosity about the past.
- Sense-making – Pupils used blackout poetry to make meaning from complex topics, processing emotions and history creatively.
