Towards a common future, while remembering the past

Amery Hill School

 

The following is written by Amery Hill School in Hampshire, who took part in our wreath challenge for The UnrememberedWould you like to contribute your story about working on one of our projects? We would love to hear from you. Read more case studies here and email contact@big-ideas.org for more information. Read about our current projects here.

With the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting being hosted by the UK in London and Windsor, Amery Hill School students have been learning about aspects of the Commonwealth, its role today and how it has shaped our history.

This event fuelled the school’s debating programme, with students taking part enthusiastically in tutor-time discussions, considering the shared global challenges which were discussed by Heads of Government at the meeting. Following this week long focus on the Commonwealth, students and teachers decided to get involved with The Unremembered project which was organised by Big Ideas. Two students from each Year 7 tutor group were selected to be wreath representatives. They chose a theme and created a design for their tutor group’s wreath, merging their creativity and knowledge of history to create a number of wreaths which commemorated the dedication of the WW1 Labour Corps and their families from the Commonwealth.

Lead teacher at the school, Mrs Lisa Mouland said “The students have worked so well together, coming up with some amazingly creative ideas and designs. The wreaths all looked wonderful. We are over the moon to see the photographs of our wreaths on display and to know that we have contributed to this memorable project. We hope that through our work, the message of the importance of the Commonwealth is passed on.”

Mrs Mouland went on to say “We will be keeping an eye open for future Big Ideas projects as our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience – our thanks to the team at Big Ideas for their support and help with funding.”


 

The Unremembered project is a national campaign to remember World War One’s army of workers – the Labour Corps. The Labour Corps cooked, cleaned, carried and cared for the soldiers on the front line and behind the lines. Many died, yet today their contribution and sacrifice is rarely acknowledged.

Would you like to contribute your experience working on any of our projects? We would love to hear from you. Read more case studies here and email contact@big-ideas.org for more information. Read about our current projects here.

Posted 26 June 2018