Gosport schoolchildren paint pebbles to commemorate Remembrance

Remembrance Sunday was observed a little differently this year with lockdown meaning people had to pay their respects at a distance.

Children from Alver Valley Schools in Gosport decided to brighten spirits by painting memorial pebbles and returning them back to the seafront for locals to discover.

Executive headteacher Jill Roseblade said: ‘The idea was for each child to choose their own stones, they could decorate it in any way they wanted.

‘They can then go back to the beach with their families to find their pebble.’

‘Some created images of poppies, some painted scenes, and some even had hashtags with thank you and remember written on them.’

All children contributed, from those in nursery to Year 6 junior students.

The pebbles came from the seafront in Lee-on-the-Solent, and once repainted were put back in the same place.

Remembrance Day is a time to step back and give thanks not only to those who fought and defended the country in the past but for those who are still away from home.

Ordinarily, the day is more of a family affair at the school with families coming in and visiting in their uniforms.

But this year Alver Valley school had to think outside the box.

Headteacher Mrs Roseblade wanted an activity that could go above and beyond despite social distancing.

She said: ‘The children were really excited about contributing something that was bigger, that the whole school was doing.

‘They are all in their separate bubbles – but this was a way of connecting them.

‘The children are really excited to go to the beach and find their pebble with their families or whoever is at home; it’s those quiet moments on the beach.’

A video has been made for the children, showcasing their work as a way of reaching out to family members serving overseas.

It will also allow them to see friends from different parts of the school.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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