D-Day tribute from Newcastle pupils

Children at a Fenham school revisited history when they commemorated the 80th anniversary of the  ‘D-Day’ Normandy landings, and paid a moving tribute to the soldiers who had died.

Over 420 pupils from Nursery to Year 6 at English Martyrs’ Catholic Primary School each created and decorated a silhouette of a soldier, which they then took on a procession around the school grounds, before attending a special assembly where Headteacher Anthony Kennedy played radio broadcasts from 1944 announcing the D-Day operation.

Afterwards, the ‘soldiers’ were placed in a special memorial area, where the children sang some World War II music hall favourites and took part in a reflective prayer.

“The songs were a special mash up of wartime songs put together by our music teacher, Ellen Clarke,” said Mr Kennedy. “Pupils had been learning the songs leading up to the D-Day memorial. The mash up included ‘Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag’, ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’, ‘We’re Gonna Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line’, and ‘Run, Rabbit, Run’.”

The event was devised by Sheena McCaffrey, History Champion and Year 4 Teacher at the school, which is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust. 

She drew inspiration from the Standing with Giants ‘For Your Tomorrow’ art installation in Normandy, which features 1,475 silhouettes to represent the number of fatalities under British command on 6 June 1944.

“Mrs McCaffrey came up with the idea to create a smaller version in the school grounds where pupils could recognise the sacrifice of the individual soldiers and pay their respects in a creative and meaningful manner,” continued Mr Kennedy.

The children also learnt about D-Day in the run up to the anniversary, and enjoyed commemorative biscuits decorated with poppies and displayed as a ‘poppy field’.

“D-Day events are important for primary school children, as they provide a valuable opportunity to learn about a significant historical event that had a major impact on the course of World War II and the wider world,” added Mr Kennedy. 

“This event was accessible to all of our children, and teachers adapted the content of classroom lessons and discussions to suit all ages and stages. By understanding the sacrifices made by soldiers, and the importance of cooperation among allies, children can develop a deeper appreciation of the value of freedom and peace.

“Our pupils can see how this links to our British Values, and the importance of this for us today. It is also important for our pupils to gain historical context and understanding that this was taking place not that long ago.”