World War One Conference 2013

How should we commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War One?

On Tuesday 5th November, over 30 students from the 6th Form participated in a conference about World War One.
The students were asked to consider the specific question of how the centenary of the outbreak should be commemorated. Currently, there is a debate about this issue. Some argue that commemorations should emphasise the fact that it was a British victory. Others argue that the emphasis should be put on the sense of futility. These were the points that the students had to consider.

During the morning, the students attended a variety of seminars from a variety of curriculum areas. In addition to this, Mr Chris Copson from Bovington Tank Museum delivered two lectures looking at attitudes towards the war and how victory was achieved.
In the afternoon, the students worked in small groups to produce an outcome in which they put forward their own proposals and design for how they thought the centenary should be commemorated. The students had to work quickly and efficiently to ensure that they had something ready to exhibit by 2.30pm.

The students came up with a range of interesting and original ideas. Mr Copson was impressed with the cross-curricular dimension to the task. This enabled students not only to apply the subject knowledge to a specific issue but also to think beyond the confines of their subject area.
Overall, it was a valuable and thought-provoking day enabling students to explore different points of view and approaches to a problem. Olivia Boddy stated: “It was a fantastic day … There were many interesting viewpoints to consider and was very eye-opening.” Another participant, Joshua Tenn, remarked,  “ Seeing the war through different viewpoints is very helpful for making a decision about the war, which is vital with the 100th anniversary coming up.”

Currently, the government is debating what to do and is not sure how best to commemorate the occasion. I think it’s fair to say that the students of Highcliffe sixth-form who participated in the conference would have some interesting suggestions!

Seminars were given by the following curriculum areas:
Art – The Visual Representation of War – Mr Elliot
English – “What passing bells for these who die of cattle?”” – Mrs Gabony and Mrs Sibbick
History – Victory at all Costs and Goodbye to All That? – Mrs Barrall and Mr Turner
Languages – Italy and Neutrality – Mr Campbell
Maths – “One death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.” – Mr Cowley and Mr Cooper
Media – The Hypodermic Syringe Theory – Miss Crump

Student Comments
Being able to look at history through different subjects such as art and media studies offered a very interesting and in-depth approach towards WW1.
Emmie McGee

Very interesting. Seeing the war through different viewpoints is very helpful for making a decision about the war, which is vital with the 100th anniversary approaching fast.
Joshua Tenn

Thoroughly enjoyed today. There are so many viewpoints to look at.
Brendan Kirkton

It was really interesting to see how the poems recorded the reality of the war while propaganda gave a biased, idealistic view.
Hannah Sheard

It was a fantastic day and very interesting. I learnt about the Italian involvement in the war and whether or not it was worth it for them. I also learnt about whether or not using the media to guilt-trip a nation is ever justified. There were many interesting viewpoints to consider and it was very eye-opening.
Olivia Boddy

I really enjoyed today. I’ve never really learnt much about the war before so it was a great experience.
Chloe Bigham

Today has been really eye-opening. I’ve learnt new things and seen things from other people’s point-of-view and taken different arguments into account.
Niall Gallagher

I have learnt so much today that I wouldn’t have known for the next Remembrance Day. It’s been a good experience and had me think more about it all.
Sophie Melville

I found the activities really interesting and enjoyed looking at different aspects of war.
Nicole Marinaro

The whole day was much more interesting than I expected it to be. The statistics, and putting them into perspective, was so interesting.
Ellie Peroni

I thought today was very interesting. I learnt so much that never knew about and it was interesting having Mr Copson here and teaching us more.
Jessica Burton

It was interesting finding out new things.
Morgan Fereday

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Owned by: | Last Published: 11/11/2013 13:40:06 | Next Update: N/A