The pupils of a north-east primary school have paid tribute to the men and women who perished in World War I in a touching memorial ceremony.
All of the staff and pupils from New Pitsligo school walked solemnly down to the village’s war memorial to plant wooden crosses.
They were joined by parents, local minister Rev Andrew Fothergill and Tom Rooney, a trustee from the Royal British Legion.
Head teacher Helen James said: “We walked down to the war memorial and the minister led us in prayer. It was a short ceremony but it was really quite moving.
“There were about 115 children and parents with us and all the staff of course. Including the nursery children, every child planted a cross.”
The wooden crosses, emblazoned with poppies, were provided by the Royal British Legion.
Mrs James added: “We cover conflict as part of the curriculum and we do commemorate Remembrance Day every year, but this is the first time the whole school’s gone to the memorial like this.
“We felt it was very important for the centenary. The children are very grounded in their community. It’s really important for them to understand the depth of where they come from and what their history is.
“They recognise their surnames on the memorial even today and that really matters. Part of their citizenship, part of understanding who they are in the modern world, comes from understanding the conflicts of the past.”
On Thursday, the school is hosting a tea dance in the village hall from 1.15pm and a quiz night from 7pm. All proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
In the year that marks the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War, the Royal British Legion is campaigning for the Poppy Appeal harder than ever before. Money raised is spent on supporting serving or retired personnel and their families.