Rembrance Day 2018: Portsmouth school commemorates Armistice with '˜wave of poppies'

(L to R) Mikail Ghury, 7, Alice Hu, 6, Lydia Scott, 8, Acting Headteacher Izzy Lewis, Griff Harrison-Jones, 5, and Charis Hargreaves alongside a 'poppy wave' of over 1000 poppies.

All the poppies were then used to create a '˜poppy wave' to commemorate all those whoÂ lost their lives in the First World War.

Acting Headteacher, Izzy Lewis, said: '˜We expected to get 420 poppies as this is how many children we have at the school. In the end we have a total of 1256 poppies which make up the wave. It became a real community even with grandparents, parents and even former pupils getting involved.'

Near Portsmouth's naval base, and with one in ten children fromÂ service families, Ms Lewis feels the commemoration is particularly pertinentÂ for St Jude's.

'˜We have 42 children with forces' parents which is about 10 per cent of the school's population. We are so close to the naval base and many of our children have parents whoÂ are currently serving away. They are living proof that families lose people and are aware of what it is like to have a family member go away to serve their country,' she said.

Lydia Scott, eight, whoseÂ dad is a Lieutenant Commander in the navy, said: '˜It is important to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.'

Charis Hargreaves, 10, added: '˜My great grandfather foughtÂ in the Second World War. It is important we remember what happened as lots of children have parents in the armed forces. They risked their lives for us.'Â Â

The children designed the poppies using, card, wood, tissue paper and fabrics. Some students createdÂ their poppies as a mosaic as they have been studying Roman history.

Griff Harrison-Jones, five, whose dad also serves in the navy, said: '˜I used red paper and decorated it with beads.'

In addition to creation of individual poppies, the students have also written their own poems and prayers which will be read out at a special remembrance assembly.

'˜Those children from service families will be attending a special ceremony at the dockyard which is being hosted by the navy. It is crucial that we as a school remember what others have given to allow us what we have today,' added Ms Lewis.