TCSoA School Newsletter November 2018 Newsletter | Page 4

First World War Commemeration (Mrs Welsh, Pupil Support Teacher)
Over the last few months pupils and staff at have been working together on a community project
to commemorate the end of the First World War. Led by Cindy Huntley, Artist and Pupil Support
Assistant at the school, we have created a beautiful poppy made from stones painted red or
black, inspired by the very popular Auchterarder Rocks hobby many young people take part in.
It has been a valuable exercise, not only as a mark of respect, but also to raise awareness of the
wider meaning of the poppy amongst our young people. The project has involved pupils from
Nursery, Primary, Secondary and many of the pupils from the Support for Learning Base and Art
Department. On Sunday 11 November, following the school Remembrance Day Assembly on the
previous Friday, senior pupils laid their rocks on the display too. Parents and carers also took part
by painting stones at home to contribute. This project has had a wide-reaching impact.
We are very grateful for all contributions towards making our pebble poppy installation from our
own staff, Mr Banks (Facilities Team) and Mr Elliott (Senior Technician) for preparing the
foundations, to local business such as Bain’s Signs, Urquharts, Stewarts, Crichton and Harris
Joinery and Simon Howie to name a few. Without such donations of time and materials from the
wider community, this would not have been possible and we feel very fortunate in being so well
supported.
Many Departments in the school have made contributions, for example, the History Department
which led the Senior School Remembrance Assemblies on Friday morning. Pupils and staff were
welcomed into their Assembly by Mr Brown, Teacher of Music, on the pipes. The services were
conducted by pupils who had taken part in our Battlefields Trip to Belgium in June. The theme of
the Assemblies was the role played by members of our community in WW1. The presentations
included photos and video clips taken on our trip and included various family graves that were
visited. Photos of old Auchterarder were also incorporated - thanks to Dr J Grant for these. One
of our pupils, Murray, played the Last Post whilst our Head Boy, Ross Geddes and Head Girl , Eilidh
Robertson Laidlaw, laid a wreath on behalf of our school community. The readings and music
were all very poignant and ensured a thought-provoking and emotional service for all. The Health,
Food and Fashion Technology Department also helped all S1 pupils make their own hand sewn
poppy to wear for the school assemblies and on Remembrance Day.
The Community School of Auchterarder is also proud to have been represented at the community
Remembrance service, with our Head Boy and Head Girl, Eilidh reading at the church service, and
the School Pipe Band providing excellent support during the parade from the War Memorial to
Auchterarder Parish Church.
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