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Remembrance Assembly thread:
(1) It's no surprise that I'm normally asked to do something around this time of year in school. So I thought I'd share some musings on Remembrance assemblies.
I've no idea how many tweets this'll take...sorry. #RemembranceDay2020
(1) It's no surprise that I'm normally asked to do something around this time of year in school. So I thought I'd share some musings on Remembrance assemblies.
I've no idea how many tweets this'll take...sorry. #RemembranceDay2020
(2) Remembrance is deeply personal, & for students to make a real connection to why this tradition continues, we need to make it relevant to their lives. How do we do this?
(3) Firstly, if you're lucky enough to be in a school with history, like @qea_mansfield, link it to the 'Old Boys' that left for WW1 & WW2. Show them the direct links to their school community (QEA have *the best* Remembrance Service I've seen a school do).
(4) If your school is a bit on the younger side, then link to a local war hero - @richard_duckett was involved in raising the profile of a Reading war hero; this still provides the local links to bring the narrative back home.
(5) If you have a diverse school community, research the links to Commonwealth services & their contribution to WW1 & WW2. If, like @MerrillAcademy, you have a Bosnian community (and selfishly a veteran who served there) acknowledge the fact that we don't just remember those...
(6)...who have died in the two world wars. We commemorate those who have died in service of this country, many of which died protecting others. It is a sad fact most kids have no idea that soldiers of my age helped prevent the last genocide in Europe.
(7) Now we can talk about civilians, & their contributions in the Emergency Services, deaths through terror attacks, & innocent civilian lives. Again, if relevant link back to your school community or local area.
(8) Tell those stories - Point out how young the men were in WW1, & how many lives were lost *on both sides*. For the spirit of Remembrance to live on, we need to remember the purpose is "lest we forget".
(9) Lest we forget that war is horrific. It isn't something to be glorified. It robs young men (& more recently women) of a rich & full life. It robs families of their children.
(10) Lest we forget soldiers playing football together, sharing rations, & cigarettes in no-mans' land - especially when injured.
(11) Remind them that it is not about glorifying death. I was asked today "How many people have you killed, Sir?" - that question deeply upsets me...every bloody time I'm asked it, by a kid with a grin on their face.
(12) Also, check with staff that have served whether there's anything that is a trigger for them; for me, it's "In Flanders' Fields". A poem that brings me to tears whenever I read it. This hit me out of nowhere today. I didn't feel like crying infront of my Y11 this afternoon.
(13) Above all, please don't list conflicts for examples. There are many conflicts that are forgotten. Civillians often don't realise the impact that forgetting a conflict has on someone that served in that theatre. TBH, seeing theatres I have lost friends in forgotten...
(14) ...left me feeling deflated today. As does the lacknof acknowledgement to the survivors of these conflicts. Knowing lads that have spent years suffering due to their service, before deciding they can't continue, is a spectre that needs to be discussed...
(15) ...as are the physical injuries that have been life changing.
If you're unsure, check out the @BritishLegionRX's website for excellent resources, or speak to a veteran.
Of course, you could talk about the other coloured poppies available, & their significance.
If you're unsure, check out the @BritishLegionRX's website for excellent resources, or speak to a veteran.
Of course, you could talk about the other coloured poppies available, & their significance.
(16) Finally, a wholehearted plea. Please stop calling it "Poppy Day" and using the term "celebrate". It sends entirely the wrong message.
