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

[madeofmore]

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.

I was in a cafe at 12 today and they had the silence, which surprised me.

I don't remember a science being a part of the VE Day celebrations before. This day is about celebrating the victory, not remembrance exactly. Maybe celebrating victory is a bit much now, but that what it is.

I was happy to respect it, but I wouldn't have thought to if they hadn't asked.

Majority? Would there be any who would think we had a land fit for heroes now? I doubt it.

@Dreichweather Yes that's true. VJ Day always seems to get forgotten.
My comment though was aimed at the person who seemed to think Non Anglo -Saxon White British children wouldn't be interested or find it relevant.

First I heard that there was one. I don’t remember there being one on VE Day before.

The fact you think the 2 min silence was at 11 suggests you also didn’t observe it, OP?

Glad to hear that obviously a lot of schools have worked to share lessons on VE Day. If only my son's school had taken the same opportunity to bring in awareness of the dangers we still face every day. Whether it was us, them, not us, only that part, isn't racism something that affects all humanity? There is definitely some indifference on this thread to our recent history and what it should teach us all.

Indeed. Schools in England are still supposed to teach British Values, to all children who attend each school. It's still inspected by Ofsted, too (primary where I'm a governor was inspected last week and BV was specifically interrogated).

@madeofmore do you actually know for sure his school didn't do anything?
Children are great at saying "nothing happened" at school but then it turns out they had a visit from a circus/police dog/fire engine or whatever.

VJ day gets forgotten because it was precipitated by a war crime (atomic bombing of civilians).

As for the silence, there are so bloody many of them these days that it's easy to lose track. Sure another one will come along soon enough.

I had no idea this was happening. I was in a meeting all morning and it wasn’t mentioned. Isn’t the silence in November?

I really don’t think that’s why it gets forgotten. It gets forgotten because it’s not Europe.

I'm surprised that your son's school didn't observe the two minute silence today @madeofmore .

My school did. I was teaching year 11 at noon and the all stood up from their desks and observed the 2 minute silence. The school bell rang at 12:00 and 12:02. They had an assembly earlier in the day about VE day too.

When silences occur during break time it brings me close to tears to witness the students in a large comprehensive school immediately fall silent and still on mass. They are always very respectful and take it seriously.

For how long? Another 50 years? A hundred? At some point you need to stop. it’s VE Day. It’s significant bit of history but not massively so.

Armistice day remembers all who have fallen. But the end of WW1 was that date. VE Day is Victory in Europe, when the WW2 ended here.

“The 2 minute silence” happens in November.

Yes absolutely sure, and he runs through what he did in each lesson every day so when he says he they didn't acknowledge it at all in his secondary, and that he was surprised, I believe him.

My fitness class stopped at midday to observe. Very few "ethnic Brits" (whatever that is) but a huge number from the Commonwealth, to whom it still means a great deal.

Yes, it should be a day of celebration, but that was only achieved through immense loss.

I'm not sure about a 'silence', but I'd think maybe something themed for the event could take place on the day. But I don't remember that ever happening even when I was at school so maybe it's not really strictly protocol and never has been?
If you're not from a military background surely it doesn't really matter if they do an official ceremony or silence about it?

It's hugely significant, wherever you come from or however long ago but it really wasn't that long ago.

The school I work in (secondary) had a silence today and we have spoken about VE day and the reasons we mark the day.

my work ties in closely with the Bank of England base rate announcements and it’s only due to them giving notice today’s would be released at 1202 I knew it was happening

British contingent? Odd comment given that it was a world war.

Our primary school observed the two minute silence and had a special lunch.

It is significant but to my mind the 2 minute silence is specific to Remembrance Day, which remembers all who died in conflict defending our country, as well as marking the end of the First World War. It’s diluted if you use it at other times.

That's what I thought! The clue is in the name!

Sorry,the above post was agreeing with what PluckyCheeks said.