What environment could be more fitting to celebrate the lives and to commemorate the losses of the 40 million casualties of the First World War than an international school? In the spirit of peace and reconciliation, Nobel International School Algarve in Lagoa, which currently has pupils representing 43 nationalities from across the world, marks the centenary of the end of the conflict with a number of themed activities this week.
Art teacher Leona Robinson has worked with the school’s Eco-Warriors group and all her middle school students, aged 12 to 14, to create poppies from used plastic bottles. These are being given out at assemblies throughout the week where students from Year 12 are giving presentations which include poetry readings, songs and visuals to encapsulate the geographical impact and aftermath of the Great War. A display in the library shows the role of Portugal in the First World War and a film, Joyeux Noel, is being shown in English with Portuguese subtitles during lunch periods.
Head of School Mike Farrer said: “We have decided to focus on the message of peace and lasting reconciliation. In honour of those who gave their lives or who lived for years with devastating injuries and scars, both physical and mental, we will use this centenary commemoration week as an opportunity to remind our pupils of the freedom they enjoy.”
