Exploring the Legacy of WW1: A Journey Through the Battlefields of Belgium and France

On 7th-8th June, Year 8 pupils experienced a deeply moving and educational trip to the battlefields of World War I in Belgium and France. They had the unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of soldiers who fought and died over a century ago, visiting some of the most significant sites of the Great War.

Our journey began in Belgium, where we explored the Ypres Salient. Our first stop was Bedford House Cemetery, a tranquil resting place for thousands of soldiers from the Commonwealth. The sight of row upon row of pristine white headstones was a poignant reminder of the scale of the sacrifice made by so many. At the Passchendaele Memorial Museum, we gained an insight into the soldiers’ experiences through artefacts, exhibits and the recreated trench system.

The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing left a lasting impression on us all, with its nightly Last Post Ceremony serving as a solemn tribute to the fallen. This memorial stands as a powerful reminder of the soldiers from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations who have no known grave.

Traveling to northern France, we visited several key sites in and around Arras. At the German Military Cemetery, we reflected on the shared grief and loss on both sides of the conflict. The nearby Portuguese Military Cemetery highlighted the contributions and sacrifices of soldiers from Portugal. The Indian Memorial at Neuve-Chapelle commemorated the Indian soldiers who fought on the Western Front, underscoring the global nature of the conflict.

At the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, we visited the majestic monument, which honours the Canadian Corps’ valiant efforts during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Standing atop the ridge, we felt the weight of history and the contributions of soldiers from across the world.

Our journey concluded at the Ring of Remembrance in Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. This French memorial is unique in that it lists the names of soldiers from all nations who died in the region, symbolising unity and remembrance beyond national boundaries.

Throughout the trip, we were reminded of the diverse backgrounds of the soldiers who fought in WWI. The memorials to fallen heroes from countries around the world highlighted the truly global impact of the war. This trip was an invaluable educational experience, bringing history to life and deepening our understanding of the sacrifices made by so many.

A moving service of remembrance of the D-Day landings 80 years ago

‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today’.

On Thursday 6th June 2024, we were honoured to be invited to join a small group of dignitaries and members of the public to remember the D-Day landings 80 years ago. The service started with the music of a bag piper which set the tone of the event. Fr Darren Collins led the service which included readings and prayers. Hatfield Town Mayor, Councillor Shirley Asare read a poem which was followed by a two minutes silence. The service finished with prayers and the national anthem. Annie Brewster JP, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire spoke to us after the service and explained the rich history behind the role, which she will hold for 1 year. She said: ‘Your pupils were a complete delight and are enormous credit to you.’ Lord and Lady Salisbury also spoke to us and were interested to hear about the school and were very impressed with our students.

Year 10 Language Leaders run 144 workshops for primary school pupils

On Tuesday 4th June, the BHGS Modern Foreign Languages Faculty held its annual Languages Discovery Day which was delivered by 64 Year 10 Young MFL Leaders who shared their cultures, languages and linguistic interests with 120 Key Stage 2 boys and girls from Oak View and St Philip Howard RC primary schools. The primary school pupils had the opportunity to experience 20 different languages from all around the world reflecting our diverse heritages at the school. Also included were special workshops in Flamenco dance, Cyphers, British Sign Language and Egyptian hieroglyphs. The day was divided in 27 workshops with different language and cultural foci, with 9 sessions for the 16 groups of primary pupils.

Ileri A who had run an activity to share her Yoruba heritage stated: “I enjoyed making the students smile and this experience has enlightened a passion in me, even though it may not have been down my chosen career path. I also enjoyed teaching the pupils about my culture as they may not be taught it again.”

Maryam W said: “This was a first-time experience in teaching for me, and at first, I felt uneasy and unsure about how this was going to turn out. We played a short game of French ‘Guess who’ and I was filled with doubts about whether the children would actually enjoy the game or not. These doubts were cleared by the children themselves who told me they loved the game and wanted to play longer. I excitedly await the next visit, and I have many ideas of new language games to play with them.”

 

One of the local primary schools commented: ” Thank you so much to you, your staff and your Year 10 students for organising such a wonderful languages day on Tuesday. Our Year 4 children thoroughly enjoyed the activities throughout the day, which were managed so well and so enthusiastically by your students. Our children certainly came away with a greater awareness of the many different languages that are spoken around the world. ”

By all accounts the day was a great success. Special praise is due to our Young Leaders for their infectious enthusiasm which gave the event a great buzz and celebrated the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of our school!

R J Taylor, Head of Languages Faculty