Baking, bunting and boogie as Sunderland special schools hold virtual VE Day celebrations

Bunting, baking and the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy combined to mark VE Day at a group of North East School.
A good day was had by allA good day was had by all
A good day was had by all

Pupils, parents and staff from Sunderland’s Portland Academy and Barbara Priestman Academy, both part of the Ascent Academy Trust, were among those who used an online get-together on Friday May 8 to mark 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.

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Webcams had to be drafted in after coronavirus restrictions meant previous plans were cancelled.

Barbara Priestman Academy pupil Rowan Jardine with sister DarcieBarbara Priestman Academy pupil Rowan Jardine with sister Darcie
Barbara Priestman Academy pupil Rowan Jardine with sister Darcie
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But prizes were still awarded for best decorations and best cake, with other highlights including footage from the original VE Day and a staff member reading extracts from her grandmother’s wartime diary.

PE teacher Dan Wilson shared pictures of himself dressed in a 1940s-style army uniform, while sixth formers created a video of themselves dancing to wartime hit the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

“It was a really positive, celebratory afternoon,” said Rachel Hargreaves, headteacher at the Barbara Priestman Academy, in Meadowside.

“It was nice to have something different to focus on and I think we’ve missed that over the past few weeks.

Some of the bakingSome of the baking
Some of the baking
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“It’s such an important event to commemorate, but also to remind people we’re still a community and there’s still things we can engage with positively.

“Even though we can’t get together for a party we’re blessed there’s still other ways to do that.

“Although we were in different homes, knowing other people were celebrating in a similar way made that difference much smaller than it has felt over the past month or so.”

Mum Claire Jardine, whose son Rowan attends Barbara Priestman Academy, added he had been ‘dead excited’ for the day.

Some of the bakingSome of the baking
Some of the baking

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VE Day bunting.VE Day bunting.
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