Poppies and prayers mark Remembrance Day

There were poppies and prayers – as well as artwork, songs, and drama – when schools across the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust marked Remembrance Day this year.

A wall of poppies appeared in the centre of Morpeth when children from St Robert’s Catholic First School created a striking Remembrance Day display; while staff and pupils at St Aidan’s Catholic Primary in Wallsend were joined by Year 6 parents for a Celebration of the Word.

There was a warm welcome for everyone when St Alban’s Catholic Primary invited members of the community to a Remembrance Day Liturgy, and at St John Vianney it was the pupils who organised proceedings.

The Year 3 class at St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary joined war veterans for a special Remembrance Day service; while children from St Mark’s attended a church service where they presented a wreath and handed out poppies; and pupils from St Oswald’s led graveside prayers at a Remembrance Sunday event.

It wasn’t just the Trust’s primary schools paying their Remembrance Day respects, as our high schools also commemorated the occasion in memorable style.

At Sacred Heart Catholic High School, sixth formers shared their memories of visiting wartime battlefields, and there were prayers, readings, songs, and even a drama performance at St Mary’s.

Pupils of all ages at St Robert’s worked together on the school’s Remembrance Display, with each crafting a hand-made poppy to add to the commemorative artwork, while children in Year 4 also copied out a series of war poems.

“We always produce a display at the front of the school to support the local community in commemorating Remembrance Day,” explained Headteacher David Sutcliffe.

“The children are very proud of the poppies that they make, and the older children have the opportunity to hear some of the war poems and reproduce these in their most beautiful handwriting,” he continued.

“The children learn about the significance of the poppy during assemblies, and with their class teachers. We think it is important to share our gratitude and respect for the fallen with our local community, and we do this by creating a Remembrance Display on our school fence.”

The project was overseen by St Robert’s Year 1 Teacher and Art Lead, Alice Butler, who collated the children’s work and put together the display.

“It is lovely to watch people stop in the street and spend time reading the poems and looking at our display,” she said.

The poppies and poems will remain on show for two weeks.

“The display is recognised by the school and parish, along with the wider community, as a beautiful way for the children in school to learn about the significance of sacrifice and importance of peace,” added Mr Sutcliffe.

“We hope our display serves as a tribute to those who have fallen, and acts as a reminder of our shared hope for peace among all people.”

The moving tribute at St Aidan’s was led by the school’s Year 6 Faith in Action Group.

“We observed the two-minute silence and remembered those who had died in wars and gave service to their country,” said Year 6 Teacher Maria Nicholson.

“We chose to share the Word from John 13 34-35, where we are taught to love one another. We then lit candles and prayed for forgiveness, peace, and healing, and made a commitment to live responsibly and serve faithfully.”

The commemorative activities also continued beyond the service and into the classrooms.

“Each class took away ‘The Poppy Prayer’ for their classroom prayer table,” added Mrs Nicholson.

St Alban’s hosted Father Jonathan Bowes and his parishioners from Christ the King Partnership at a special, commemorative service.

“The St Alban’s school community came together to mark Remembrance Sunday with a moving, whole-school liturgy, led by Mrs Joanne Gosling, our Religious Education Lead,” said Headteacher Ciara Yeoman.

“The service was a time of reflection, prayer, and unity, as pupils, staff, and parishioners gathered to honour all those who have given their lives in service to others.

“The event reflects the close relationship between St Alban’s School and our parish, as we regularly host bi-weekly Masses within the school, strengthening the bond between parish and school family.”

Pupils from all Year Groups were involved in the event, using their creative talents to produce colourful, commemorative displays.

“In preparation for the liturgy, every child across the school decorated a poppy, symbolising the poppy fields of remembrance, and representing peace, hope, and gratitude,” continued Mrs Yeoman.

“These individual poppies were then brought together to create beautiful wreaths, which were placed reverently on the altar during the service, as a sign of respect for all who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The school entrance was similarly decorated with poppies, while another poignant touch was the inclusion of a Book of Remembrance.

“A Book of Remembrance has also been placed in the school hall, where pupils, staff, and visitors can write the names of loved ones, or messages of peace, ensuring that those who lost their lives to war or in service are never forgotten,” added Mrs Yeoman.

“The liturgy provided a meaningful opportunity for the entire St Alban’s community to pause, reflect, and pray together – reminding everyone of the importance of peace, gratitude, and remembrance in our daily lives.”

At St John Vianney, the older pupils organised the annual Remembrance service, leading their younger schoolmates through the proceedings.

“”The Year 6 children led the service using prayers and readings,” explained Judith Black, who supported the process, along with fellow Year 6 Teacher Lewis Exley.

“It incorporated poetry such as ‘They Will Not Grow Old’ and ‘For Our Tomorrow They Gave Their Today’.”

All Year Groups also created their own wreaths to place at the school’s home-made Cenotaph, while the service was brought to a close with a rendition of ‘God Save The King’.

“Our Year 6-led Remembrance Day service is a deeply meaningful moment for our school community,” added Mrs Black.

“It shows how our oldest pupils lead with respect and understanding, guiding everyone in honouring those who gave so much for peace. For younger pupils, it is an inspiring example of leadership and unity.

“This service also holds special significance for children or staff whose families serve or have served in the armed forces, reminding us of the sacrifices made, and the hope for a peaceful future.”

The entire Year 3 class from St Lawrence’s attended a Remembrance Day event organised by Veterans Launchpad at St Michael’s at the Lighthouse Project.

“Thirty pupils took part,” said Headteacher Charlotte Robson. “There were around 15 people from Launchpad there, and around ten of them were veterans.”

The children were accompanied at the service by Year 3 Teacher Olivia Shepherd and Higher Level Teaching Assistant Christine Hamilton, while other Remembrance Day activities took place within school.

“St Lawrence’s took part in a Remembrance Day assembly in the morning,” continued Mrs Robson.

“All pupils were given a paper poppy which was purchased by the school. All pupils also had the opportunity to buy items from the Poppy Appeal, including pencil, bag chains, and snap bands.”

There was also commemorative wreath-making with a continental twist.

“In their French lesson, Year 6 learned how France celebrates Remembrance Day, and that they use a mix of poppies and cornflowers,” added Mrs Robson. “Our wreath reflects the two colours.”

At St Oswald’s it was a group of Key Stage 2 pupils who joined the service at Sacred Heart Church, impressing fellow attendees with their involvement in the event, which included the youngsters leading prayers at the graves of fallen soldiers in the adjoining cemetery.

“Parishioners were deeply moved by the children’s involvement, with one writing to the school to say that the pupils ‘each played a significant part in making Remembrance Sunday a memorable occasion’,” said Deputy Headteacher Katie Morris.

“The message went on to praise the children, noting how they ‘led prayers at the graves of the soldiers with quiet dignity, poise, and confidence’, and that many adults found it to be ‘a truly moving experience’.”

Back in school, there was also a special assembly, where children across all age groups came together for a Remembrance Day Reflection led by St Oswald’s Year 2 Teacher and RE Co-ordinator, Sonya Mooney.

“The whole school gathered to remember and honour those who gave their lives in service,” added Mrs Morris.

“The children showed great reverence and respect, as they observed the minute’s silence, wearing their poppies with pride.”

There was a personal element to Remembrance Day events at Sacred Heart.

“We had Remembrance assemblies all week, where sixth-form students reflected on their visit to the battlefields last year, and spoke to their peers about the impact this trip had on them” explained Deputy Headteacher Louisa Connolly.

Each assembly also featured ‘The Last Post’ and a two-minute silence, while students involved in uniformed services – such as Cadets, Scouts, and Guides – wore their uniforms for the occasion.

Other commemorative events at Sacred Heart included chapel lessons where students created their own Remembrance reflections, and the whole school came together to observe a two-minute silence on Remembrance Day itself.

There were several Remembrance services at St Mary’s, with each involving ‘The Last Post’ and a minute’s silence.

“Our school community came together to mark Remembrance with special services held in honour of those who have served and sacrificed their lives in conflicts and wars in the past and present,” said Rachael Blackburn, who is Head of Religious Education and Assistant Headteacher Catholic Life, and organised the events.

“The services provided a meaningful opportunity for students and staff to pause, reflect, and show gratitude for the freedoms we have today.”

“The services at St Mary’s included prayers, readings, a moving drama performance, and beautiful music sung by our choir,” continued Mrs Blackburn.

“During the services, ‘The Last Post’ was played, and we all observed a minute’s silence. This powerful moment of stillness reminded everyone of the importance of remembering those who gave their lives in service to others.”

There was also a parade during which students who were members of Cadets and other uniformed groups laid poppy wreaths.

“Our Remembrance Services were a truly special occasion that united the whole school in reflection, prayer, respect and hope for a peaceful future,” added Mrs Blackburn.

“We were so impressed by all of our students, who showed incredible reverence and respect throughout the services.”