Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

That schools didn't observe the 2 minute silence for VE day today?

144 replies

madeofmore · 08/05/2025 15:38

I've no idea if this is a usual thing or not for schools, but for the 80th anniversary of VE day I thought DS's secondary would take part in the reflections and remembrance of 80 years since the second world war. I don't have a military background or any agenda to want this, more that I am surprised there wasn't any taking part, nothing mentioned in assembly or anything else this week. There was an assembly and special lunch today in Ds2's primary, not sure if they also observed the 2 minute silence at 11.

OP posts:
madameimadam · 08/05/2025 16:26

My school did. We also did an assembly about it, talked about it at length with my class and specifically why we remember. The whole school observed the silence and knew what it was for.

I live and work in one of the most multi-cultural parts of the North-West UK. My school is 90% children of immigrant families, mainly South Asia. Some of them told me about family members and their involvement in WW2.

I’m shocked by some of the sweeping and frankly, rather racist comments on here! Liberation from the tyranny of a massive racist was of the main things the Allies were fighting for…

tinygingermum · 08/05/2025 16:25

My sons secondary school have had the whole day themed around VE Day, as have most of the schools in my area.

The 2 minutes silence was at Midday.

Moonnstars · 08/05/2025 16:23

We did the 2 minutes silence at noon.
Though I am not too sure how well it was known nationally as we only got told about this this morning (other VE day activities were already planned for the day).

mnahmnah · 08/05/2025 16:20

I teach secondary. We had a 2 minute silence today and were all sent resources to use with our tutor groups.

JustMakingAPoint · 08/05/2025 16:16

PluckyCheeks · 08/05/2025 15:42

No mention of it in schools where there isn’t much of a British contingent, I should imagine. Wouldn’t be of relevance to them.

Whilst I agree with most that it should be VJ Day more marked, and also that a silence is too maudlin. I do need to challenge your reasons.

They’re in a British School, growing up as a British citizens (unless you exclusively mean international schools which I dont think you do). Therefore it is relevant, whatever is deemed culturally important to Britain IS relevant and what will be taught and provided in the environment.

if you don’t think learning about the country they have chosen to live in, what matters to them or respecting it is relevant - that’s a much wider conversation. And whilst I did not vote for reform - comments and attitudes like this, claiming no interest or relevance - are a huge part of the reason people did.

madeofmore · 08/05/2025 16:15

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 08/05/2025 15:40

It’s long ago, and the country that my father fought for from 1939- 1946 ( Far East) has vanished with barely a trace.

Best forgotten, in my view.

Lest we forget is said for a reason though. Well literally millions of reasons really.

OP posts:
Hamandpineapplepizza · 08/05/2025 16:07

Cognacsoft · 08/05/2025 15:59

It’s not glorification.
It’s a reminder of the terrible consequences of war. Our little French village had schoolchildren read out the name of all those who died here.

It would make far more sense, and be far more respectful to victims of war, for there to be a focus on the monstrous treatment of Gaza right now.
But I guess it's easier to just keep replaying the past .

GrammarTeacher · 08/05/2025 16:07

madeofmore · 08/05/2025 15:38

I've no idea if this is a usual thing or not for schools, but for the 80th anniversary of VE day I thought DS's secondary would take part in the reflections and remembrance of 80 years since the second world war. I don't have a military background or any agenda to want this, more that I am surprised there wasn't any taking part, nothing mentioned in assembly or anything else this week. There was an assembly and special lunch today in Ds2's primary, not sure if they also observed the 2 minute silence at 11.

My school did. And other things as well.

ItGhoul · 08/05/2025 16:06

There never used to be two-minute silences for anything at all other than Armistice Day and/or Remembrance Sunday in November. I don't think it's particularly valuable or useful to have them for everything and I really don't think schools need to observe them.

PluckyCheeks · 08/05/2025 16:05

billandtedsexcellentadventure · 08/05/2025 16:00

@PluckyCheeksof course it’s relevant! If no one had fought for this country then it would look nothing like it does today!!!!

I think the majority of those who sacrificed themselves for the England of 1939 will be turning in their graves at the state of England in 2025.

Fluffyc1ouds · 08/05/2025 16:05

I didn't hear anything about a silence but DS school acknowledged it with a party lunch. To be honest I've never heard of anyone celebrating it at all until this year.

Cognacsoft · 08/05/2025 16:03

RareGoalsVerge · 08/05/2025 16:01

I don't remember there ever being a silence on VE Day. Street parties and community picnics occasionally, but not every year. Silence and solemnity happens in November. Bigging it up seems in poor taste, trying to find a hook to whip up some xenophobic nationalist sentiment.

Bigging it up?
Seriously!
This is one of the most crass and uninformed posts I’ve ever read.

Needmorelego · 08/05/2025 16:03

BassesAreBest · 08/05/2025 15:59

I’m not sure anywhere in Europe colonised Japan

Not Japan obviously but Singapore, what is now Malaysia and what is now Indonesia were colonies of the UK and Netherlands (Indonesia was called The Dutch East Indies then).
Hong Kong (and parts of China?) were British.

Gingercatlover · 08/05/2025 16:03

We had 2 minutes silence in our school today.

Yellowted · 08/05/2025 16:01

I teach in a school where 70% of our children are from immigrant families. We observed the 2 minute silence and every class did a lesson today about VE day.

RareGoalsVerge · 08/05/2025 16:01

I don't remember there ever being a silence on VE Day. Street parties and community picnics occasionally, but not every year. Silence and solemnity happens in November. Bigging it up seems in poor taste, trying to find a hook to whip up some xenophobic nationalist sentiment.

Bernie54 · 08/05/2025 16:01

I work in a secondary school and we had a 2 minutes silence and having assemblies next week. Our school is multi cultural with many children from families only recently moved to this country, it shouldn’t matter about the geographical area of the school

Cognacsoft · 08/05/2025 16:00

Needmorelego · 08/05/2025 15:58

Well thanks to colonialism many countries across the world that are no where near Europe did get involved.

Yes, Malta got the George Cross.

billandtedsexcellentadventure · 08/05/2025 16:00

@PluckyCheeksof course it’s relevant! If no one had fought for this country then it would look nothing like it does today!!!!

minnienono · 08/05/2025 15:59

@PluckyCheeks

quick xenophobic comment …

do you know how many people from countries like India (plus Pakistan and Bangladesh) fought? Huge sacrifice.

that said I think the silence should have been for VJ Day

BassesAreBest · 08/05/2025 15:59

Needmorelego · 08/05/2025 15:58

Well thanks to colonialism many countries across the world that are no where near Europe did get involved.

I’m not sure anywhere in Europe colonised Japan

Cognacsoft · 08/05/2025 15:59

Hamandpineapplepizza · 08/05/2025 15:52

I think once a year in November is enough
And I am no minimiser of the war and what those who lived through it and fought in it went through.

But I am not a huge fan of the glorification of war either

It’s not glorification.
It’s a reminder of the terrible consequences of war. Our little French village had schoolchildren read out the name of all those who died here.

Needmorelego · 08/05/2025 15:58

PluckyCheeks · 08/05/2025 15:54

Yeaaah, that’s a Euro-centric view. I doubt the global majority gives much of a toss.

There’s probably more interest in what’s poppin’ off in South Asia right now.

Well thanks to colonialism many countries across the world that are no where near Europe did get involved.

Needmorelego · 08/05/2025 15:57

BassesAreBest · 08/05/2025 15:52

And the WORLD war was still going on 80 years ago. Today commemorates victory in Europe, not the end of WW2.

Valid point.
I'm actually not sure when the African/Middle East part finished. I assume VE Day as the only reason they were involved was because several countries were owned/run by European countries.

EilishMcCandlish · 08/05/2025 15:56

It is VE day. It didn't mark the end of WW2, which wasn't until 2 Sept 1945.