04 May 2020

VE Day – McMessage

This is a very important week for our Country.  On Friday we have a bank holiday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day.  It marks 75 years since the war in Europe ended and our country began its long and sometimes painful recovery.  Had our school not been closed we would have spent this week in assemblies sharing family stories and thinking about the great sacrifices made by every nation in Europe – friend or foe.  I would’ve shared the story of my mother who was born in 1945 in Austria; the story of how she was protected as a baby and then as a toddler at the end of the war when my Grandfather was a prisoner.  I would’ve also shared the story about when my two grandfathers first met, in 1964, and a very interesting discussion they had on a ferry approaching the White Cliffs of Dover following my parent’s wedding.


Every family has stories to listen to, to share and to remember.

Now, all of that must wait until we are back together.  In the meantime, I want you to decorate your houses in red, white and blue, as best as you can, and take part in the nationwide ‘stay at home’ street party as the flyer I have attached outlines.  I am expecting photos of decorated houses and celebratory tea parties!

Remember we must continue to honour the sacrifice that many people have made and, crucially, are still making to protect us – stay at home and stay safe!

Ian McArthur

#WEAREPAULET