Wartime picnic helps pupils learn about their history

15 May 2014

Year two girls from Church High and Central High stepped back in time this month as they learnt about wartime history through a series of ‘Evacuee Day’ activities.

The event was a culmination of their history studies this year and offered today’s pupils a glimpse of some of the wartime experiences their counterparts faced all those years ago.

During the day, the girls took part in a special wartime picnic, which was reminiscent of traditional activities, where they dressed as evacuees, sampled similar foods to those eaten during World War II and had the opportunity to view some items from the archives such as ration books and a gas mask.

Jill Brown, Head of Church High junior school said: “In 1939, 50 Church High girls were evacuated to Alnwick Castle during World War II and we felt it was important to host our own Evacuee Day, to give our girls an insight into their own history.

“The year two girls from Church High and Central High have been learning about the war in their history lessons this year and we felt it was important for them to see first-hand some of the experiences people faced.”

As part of their history lessons, the pupils have also had the opportunity to build their own Anderson Shelter and enjoyed an insightful visit from Church High ‘Old Girl’ Elizabeth Scott, who was just 11-years-old when the school was evacuated to Alnwick Castle in 1939. Mrs. Scott spoke about her experiences as an evacuee and her time living at historic Alnwick Castle, where the school stayed until the war ended in 1945.

The long history of both Church High and Central High Schools are being celebrated throughout the year as they prepare for their next historical milestone, joining together to form Newcastle High School for Girls this September. Joy Gatenby, Head of Church High, said: “We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to bring history to life for our pupils and, maybe one day, one of our girls will be telling another generation of Newcastle High School girls about the exciting year when their school was created!”