Armistice Assembly
11th November 2022
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month the First World War came to an end.
On Friday 11th November we held our annual Armistice Assembly.
Students remembered and commemorated those who gave their lives during World War One and in all wars since.
Year 9 students gave a presentation on the First World War, covering a variety of issues, including the causes of the conflict, the part played by East Africans, the role of women as well as a general overview of the conflict itself.
They then recited Wilfred Owen’s famous war poem: ‘Dulce et Decorum est’. Ana Leon then recited another of Owen’s most popular poems: ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’.
Year 6 reflected on the current war in Ukraine, from a child’s point of view.
At precisely 11 o’clock staff and students stood to observe one minute’s silence.
Mr Daniels
The war in Ukraine
After World War II, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union (USSR). The USSR was made of Russia and many smaller countries. Ukraine became independent in 1991, but many people in the country still have close ties to Russia.
Russia has already invaded Ukraine once. In 2014, Russia invaded and took control of Crimea, a peninsula in southern Ukraine. In response, the US and many European countries put sanctions on Russia, but the sanctions haven’t had much effect.
Also in 2014, with Russian support, two areas of Ukraine claimed they were independent of Ukraine. These areas – Donetsk and Luhansk, known together as “Donbas” – have strong ties to Russia. These are the regions that Russia has now recognized as countries. There has been fighting in and near Donbas since 2014, with Russia giving military support to the rebels.
On February 24, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.
There are approximately ten thousand children living near the frontline, according to various sources. Among them are children who do not remember the days of peace because they are the same age as the war. Most stories are still untold but here are some we do know. These are the voices of the children of Ukraine.
Maria is only 10. In a few weeks, she turns 11. The girl is not waiting for birthday presents, because she thinks that now is not the best time for them…
In a refugee shelter, arranged by a foundation, Maria has many friends. She speaks to new people without fear. But most of all, she is happy to meet with migrants from her native Kharkiv.
Maria likes to hold new friends by the hand and not let go – and Maria’s hands are so warm that it seems they can warm up everyone who is cold.
Maria’s family plans to go to Sweden. Maria is already dreaming about the new country… how it looks, what people there are like, what her new classmates will be like…
But she does not want to stay in the new country for long. The girl believes that she will return to Kharkiv with her family in a year… when the war is over and it is rebuilt.
Solomon is 10. He is from Kyiv. His family is not going to leave the country and sincerely believes that they will return to the capital in just a few weeks.
“How can we not come back if our cat and dad are there?” he says.
My name is Mykhailo, I am 10 years old. We did not leave our home, because if the villages are empty, it will be easier for enemy troops to enter them.
During these days I heard and saw a lot. I heard the Grads shelling and machine guns fires, I saw enemy planes and helicopters and heard explosions not far from the village. The first day was really scary, now – I don’t know. Panic just disappeared somewhere.
The main thing is to check the information. There may be enemy spies among the locals, they may be sitting in bomb shelters and spread the panic.
Now there are a lot of sabotage groups. They can ask us how to get to Kyiv, whether the road is blocked or just share some fake information. You need to check this information in online sources before passing it on to loved ones. And don’t post it in the groups with your neighbours.
Support each other, help the local territory defence, patrol the streets. If you see suspicious people, suspicious signs on the road – call either the police or the local defence. Our Armed Forces are very strong, our soldiers are the definition of courage.
Our enemies have been destroying us for centuries. But if the Ukrainians with sticks and wooden shields stood up against the special forces, we will stand up now with the army we have.
We are as strong as is our willpower! If we keep our strong will and support, our army and territory defence in all ways, then we will survive, we will win. I am sure of that.
Year 6
