FIRST WORLD WAR CENTENARY
A
ugust 2014 will mark one hundred years since the outbreak of World War One. To commemorate this significant milestone in world history, and to remember the 128 Dean Close boys known to have given their lives at that time, there will be a year-long programme of events and activities at School. This programme will help the younger generation of Decanians to understand the sacrifices made, the horrors suffered and the lessons learned.
The Programme October HISTORY DEPARTMENT Cheltenham Festival of Literature events WW1 On The Brink – a panel of historians debate the outbreak of war. A Village at War – telling family stories from one village affected by the war. WW1 Storytelling - for GCSE historians held at Dean Close School. Half Term
2013
Commemorative Programme
HISTORY DEPARTMENT Battlefields Trip 31 pupils travelling to France and Belgium to visit the battlefields. 9 November CHOIR Chapel Choir invited to sing in the presence of The Queen at the Royal British Legion Remembrance Service held at the Royal Albert Hall and broadcast on BBC1. 10 November WHOLE SCHOOL Remembrance Service in the School Chapel.
2014
The Programme 13 January - 8 February
September
ART SCHOOL Exhibition - World War One Landscapes by Robert Perry in the BonBernard Gallery. An exhibition of drawings, gouche and oil paintings created on location in France and Belgium.
NEW BOOK ‘We Will Remember Them: Old Decanians Fallen in War’ by archivist, Charles Whitney. A book containing facts and stories of all Old Decanians who have given their lives in war, from World War One right through to more recent conflicts.
January-February ENGLISH DEPARTMENT English Department Fourth Form Poetry Pupils will look at OD letters from this era as well as poetry from lesser-known WW1 poets. A workshop with poet, Cliff Yates, and visit to WW1 Landscapes exhibition will provide inspiration for their own poetry, culminating in a display and prize-giving. 15 January CCF Talk by Robert Perry: painter, traveller and researcher on the First World War Battlefields to be held in the Bacon Theatre. 5 February WHOLE SCHOOL A Tommy: A realistic and moving presentation from WW1 soldier, Tommy Aitkens, in the Bacon Theatre. Lent BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT A large scale ‘Poppies on palettes’ display on big field. Trinity HISTORY DEPARTMENT Corridor Display Memory board with contributions from the whole School. Pupils will be asked to research their own family connections to WWI and bring in photos, letters or just a memory tag.
HISTORY DEPARTMENT Corridor display: Old Decanians Who Fell in the War. Archived material displayed to coincide with the launch of the book. GCSE Historians study WWI this term as part of their GCSE. 14 September DRAMA DEPARTMENT Drama Festival. The Festival will commemorate the outbreak of the First World War through words and music of the period, and feature contributions from Old Decanians as well as pupils from all three Dean Close schools. A retiring collection will be made for the Royal British Legion. 19 September MUSIC DEPARTMENT Fridays at 6. Musicians will perform pieces reflecting the spirit of the First World War. MEDIA BBC Radio Gloucestershire Podcast project. A BBC broadcast which Dean Close has been invited to take part in. Half Term HISTORY DEPARTMENT Battlefields Trip. GCSE historians to travel to France and Belgium to visit the battlefields. 9 November WHOLE SCHOOL Remembrance Service in the School Chapel featuring the new £½m Chapel Organ.