VE Day – Friday 8 May 2020

13th May 2020Mr J Rennalls

On Friday 8th May 2020, was the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe – V.E. Day – and I’d like to encourage as many of you as possible to take time to reflect on the anniversary of the end of the war. Especially in these difficult times, there are many lessons we can learn from the past about the importance of community, strength and resilience.
To find out more about V.E. day, watch this short video: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/history-ks2-ve-day/z7xtmfr
The brilliant Horrible Histories team have also got a V.E. Day themed song for your amusement: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/watch/horrible-histories-songs-ve-day-song
There is also a really exciting opportunity for budding writers out there – open to all year groups, including Year 11. I know lots of you are fantastic creative writers so why not give the Historical Association’s Historical Fiction Competition a go?
The Rules:
Students can set their stories in ANY period or place in the past. Winning students will each receive a cash prize of £25 and an engraved Bath Aqua Blue glass paperweight.

Stories in each category are shortlisted by panels of student readers. The shortlist is then judged by primary and secondary expert panels. Judges are looking for:

* Historical accuracy – even down to the choice of names characters are given and any props additional to the historical setting
* A riveting read with a good plot!
* A convincing story – i.e. is it plausible that these events and/or this character could have existed at the time?
* Use of historical knowledge to feed the plot, context and character
* Effective use of historical vocabulary and literary conventions, including where dialogue is included in the story
* Creative and interesting perspectives of story-telling. In the past we have received an entry telling the story of a siege from the perspective of the castle!

Entries must be received by sent to me by 1 June VIA EMAIL (kak@dukesacademy.org.uk). I will then submit the best entries to the competition. Good luck and get writing! You might even wish to take V.E. Day as an inspirational starting point for your story.
All the very best to everyone!
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