1 Jul 2004 - INTERNATIONAL TWINNING OF SCHOOLS FOR D-DAY CELEBRATIONS IN ROTS
June proved to be an exceptional month for a group of our school children and their parents when a party of 31 adults and children travelled across to our twin village of Rots. We had been invited to go there to share in the celebrations that were being held to commemorate the liberation of the village from the SS Panzer division sixty years ago and what a trip it was!
This was the first time in many years that a school group had crossed the channel, the last being eight years ago when the French children came to Newton St Cyres. Hopefully, after this visit, the gap will not be as long again! The people of Rots were tremendous, making each and every one of us really welcome with a level of hospitality that astounded all of us. The real impact of the visit, though, lay with the reason for our trip, which was to remember the bravery of those involved in the D-Day landings and the successful completion of their mission.
The village of Rots was liberated from Nazi rule on 11 June 1944, following years of occupation and days of bloody fighting by the 46th Royal Marine Commandoes; they are the heroes of this village ? a fact that the villagers will never forget. Twenty-two British soldiers lost their lives in the long, hard battle, most aged in their early twenties. A war memorial lists their names and their memories live on to this day.
This year saw the return of many of the surviving veterans, who joined with children from five nations for three days of ceremony at war memorials, village church and the American, German and British cemeteries. Alongside our own children were those from Canada, USA, Germany and France, in recognition of all those involved and all those who lost their lives; it was an unforgettable experience, with the children having the opportunity to mix with these children from four other countries, singing with them for the esteemed octogenarians who had returned for the special occasion.
?Les Roseaux? school was at the heart of the celebrations, with the overarching theme being one of remembering the past whilst looking towards the future. On Friday our children spent a day at the school, meeting the French, Canadian, American and German children and preparing for the ceremonies that were to follow. A central focus of the weekend was the construction of a tree for the future, a beautiful sculpture in which the children sealed messages of hope and optimism for years to come. The tree is now situated in a prominent position in the school, where it will remain until the 100th year celebrations, to which the children are all invited. At this time, it is envisaged that the messages will be opened and read, thus providing a link between past present and future.
All in all, the weekend was an experience that the children and their families will never forget, and indeed, plans are already underway for the links now established to be maintained. Just watch this space for future developments!
HEATHER PERRY
HEADTEACHER
This was the first time in many years that a school group had crossed the channel, the last being eight years ago when the French children came to Newton St Cyres. Hopefully, after this visit, the gap will not be as long again! The people of Rots were tremendous, making each and every one of us really welcome with a level of hospitality that astounded all of us. The real impact of the visit, though, lay with the reason for our trip, which was to remember the bravery of those involved in the D-Day landings and the successful completion of their mission.
The village of Rots was liberated from Nazi rule on 11 June 1944, following years of occupation and days of bloody fighting by the 46th Royal Marine Commandoes; they are the heroes of this village ? a fact that the villagers will never forget. Twenty-two British soldiers lost their lives in the long, hard battle, most aged in their early twenties. A war memorial lists their names and their memories live on to this day.
This year saw the return of many of the surviving veterans, who joined with children from five nations for three days of ceremony at war memorials, village church and the American, German and British cemeteries. Alongside our own children were those from Canada, USA, Germany and France, in recognition of all those involved and all those who lost their lives; it was an unforgettable experience, with the children having the opportunity to mix with these children from four other countries, singing with them for the esteemed octogenarians who had returned for the special occasion.
?Les Roseaux? school was at the heart of the celebrations, with the overarching theme being one of remembering the past whilst looking towards the future. On Friday our children spent a day at the school, meeting the French, Canadian, American and German children and preparing for the ceremonies that were to follow. A central focus of the weekend was the construction of a tree for the future, a beautiful sculpture in which the children sealed messages of hope and optimism for years to come. The tree is now situated in a prominent position in the school, where it will remain until the 100th year celebrations, to which the children are all invited. At this time, it is envisaged that the messages will be opened and read, thus providing a link between past present and future.
All in all, the weekend was an experience that the children and their families will never forget, and indeed, plans are already underway for the links now established to be maintained. Just watch this space for future developments!
HEATHER PERRY
HEADTEACHER