VE Day Round-Up
It has been 80 years since the fighting in Europe finished in May 1945. For a short period, a sense of peace spread across most of the continent. The war had brought Total War to civilian communities and populations alongside those in military uniform.
For many, as in the UK, everyone was expected to support the war effort on the Home Front while also hoping that loved ones were neither killed nor captured. Elsewhere civilians feared occupation, oppression and death; many also feared starvation as a result of deliberate policies.
The VE Day celebrations in Europe, the Americas and in many areas of the British Empire and Commonwealth marked an end to the suffering across large parts of the world; however, they were tinged with a sense of sadness for the destruction that had occurred and for those still fighting as the war continued in the Far East. It would take a further three months for the war to end with the surrender of Japan.
For VE Day 80, the school enjoyed the bunting, nostalgia in lessons and the street party for lunch, but also thoughtfully reflected on the past – because it can act as a reminder of what happens when society stops valuing international engagement, conversation and peace. This fits with our motto each striving for the good of all.
Boys from across the Prep School took part in a wide range of activities to commemorate this occasion, as was discussed in the Whole School Assembly.
To celebrate VE Day, Year 3 took a journey back in time to learn about life during World War II and the joy that swept the nation on Victory in Europe Day in 1945.
Their learning was inspired by a moving primary source – a letter written by a child to their mother describing how they made pom poms to help decorate their street for the celebrations. The letter gave the boys a real insight into how children contributed to the sense of community and joy on this historic day.
In class, Year 3 followed in their footsteps by making our own red, white and blue pom poms. The boys showed great creativity and teamwork as they crafted their decorations with care and enthusiasm. Year 3 then brought all of their pom poms together to create a large commemorative wreath-a symbol of remembrance, celebration and unity.
This hands-on activity helped bring history to life, encouraging children to connect with the past in a personal and meaningful way. The beautiful wreath is now proudly displayed in the Jubilee building.
Year 4 studied some of the events leading up to VE Day and created their own ‘Special Edition’ Spitfire designs to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. These have formed part of the display alongside Year 3’s wreath.
Year 5, and Horrible Histories Club, discussed the timeline of events that unfolded in the build up to the end of the War and explored the celebrations that unfolded during street party VE Day celebrations. Reading Museum provided the boys with a great opportunity to investigate how the local areas celebrated – linking to Local History Month in May. After enjoying a biscuit, dancing and singing to songs from that era – ‘Roll out the barrel’ and ‘We’ll meet again’ – the boys played a game putting their knowledge to the test!
In Years 6 – 8, boys used contemporary sources to work on their source analysis skills. These compromised of an audio transcript of the BBC transmission on VE Day 1945 and an expression of sympathy from the Army Council to a mother of an officer who sadly lost his life. This comparison allowed boys to assess how far the feeling of celebration extended during this time and served as a reminder to the loss of war. This was then built upon using the new app, Curipod, in class to broaden the boys’ understanding.
By being able to link topics to current schemes of work, the boys were able to consolidate key skills that are so vital to the subject to carry forward with their learning, as well as recognise fundamental British Values. This has enabled the boys to link them to a wider historical narrative of VE Day. As such, honouring the contributions made to society by people; in addition to emphasising the need to come together around a shared common goal to achieve a better world for everyone.
Mr Fryer
Head of History
