Remembering Victory in Europe at St Paul and St Timothy’s Catholic Infant School

This year marked a special moment in the St Paul and St Timothy’s Catholic Infant School calendar, as everyone came together to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

It was a day of joy, reflection, and vibrant celebration as the whole school community stepped back in time to 1945 to honour the end of World War II in Europe. Children and staff got involved in meaningful activities and lots of learning.

In the lead-up to the big day, each year group spent time learning about the significance of VE Day, and children watched film clips showing jubilant street parties and stories about how the country celebrated the end of the war. This helped even the youngest pupils understand the importance of the occasion.

The entire school dressed for the occasion, donning authentic 1940s-style clothing. There were flat caps, floral tea dresses, and braces, and children dressed as evacuees, with some even creating cardboard gas mask boxes.

A highlight of the day was a special assembly led by the talented Year 2, who spoke proudly and confidently about the history of VE Day, bringing it to life for the rest of the school.

Another major feature of the school’s celebration was the carefully curated museum. Families kindly loaned treasured World War I and World War II memorabilia, including ration books, medals, letters, photographs, suitcases, and uniform. Each artefact was labelled and displayed, and children visited the museum with their class teacher to learn about their significance. It was a powerful reminder of the personal stories and sacrifices behind the historic day.

Pupils also enjoyed a 1940s-themed disco, dancing to swing tunes and classic wartime songs. They gathered outside for a festive street party too, complete with bunting, sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones, and homemade cakes.

The whole day was a fantastic blend of learning and fun, providing the children with a deep and lasting appreciation of their shared history and helping them to understand values like resilience, peace, and unity.