As part of the Year 9 history curriculum, students visit the Battlefields in Belgium and northern France.
This long-standing tradition at St Helen’s is a whole year group event and is an extraordinary opportunity for students to consolidate their learning about the First World War. It is a very moving and rewarding experience and a number of students shared their reflections through poetry and quotes, which you can read here.
The men lie unseenNellie
faces unrecognisable, names unknown
on the muddy trampled ground
sinking into graves
whilst fire continues, their souls watch
wondering if giving their lives meant nothing
Their bodies, never recovered, break down
as a new future is built over them
it's foundations being their sacrifice
We remember all of them, even those never recognised
for dying to save us
They met in Moonlight - Essex Farm Cemetary
Lone grave sits,Zahra
Flat,
Different.
When spirits arise on a night,
That night,
They push and shove,
And hit and bite,
And crowd and abuse so much
That he gives up all hope of knowing their torments
In foreign tongues
And quietly awaits the rise of the sun.
He might say
That it's worse than those 3 weeks at Passchendale
He hurts so much,
And who would remember
His name anymore,
Not a single soul wishes to,
But he is glad to be away from the worst of it.
But this time,
This time,
This time is different.
The cemetery is dark,
Where are they?
The tormenting souls,
They should be here.
A single figure hovers over a grave.
A spiked hat,
Someone like him.
Tears roll down translucent cheeks,
Peace. Finally
