Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, has paid a visit to Waverley Primary School in Dumpling Hall to hear more about the pupils’ World War One-themed work this year. 

Like many schools across Newcastle, Waverley Primary is commemorating the centenary of the First World War’s outbreak in 1914.

Waverley’s headteacher, Mark Outterside, invited Catherine to visit the school to contribute to a large-scale art project, depicting the poppy fields of World War One, which will be worked on by every pupil.  Once completed, the artwork will be displayed in Newcastle’s St Nicholas’ Cathedral in the autumn, before returning to feature as a permanent memorial at the school.

As well as the art project, Year 6 pupils from Waverley Primary have undertaken a visit to the Flanders sites of the Great War, including the Menin Gate memorial and the Tyne Cot cemetery, to remember soldiers of the Northumberland Fusiliers and Durham Light Infantry who fought on the Western Front.   Waverley Primary pupils also met up with Catherine, and others from Lemington Riverside Primary, at Lemington Cemetery – to learn more from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission about the 25 World War One graves the cemetery contains.

During her visit to the school, Catherine also heard from pupils about their Flanders visit and listened to poetry they had written as part of the World War One commemorations.

Catherine said:

‘It never ceases to amaze me how engaged young people across Newcastle are with the First World War and the importance of remembering the sacrifices that people made.

‘The art project is absolutely beautiful, and will make a truly fitting memorial to those people from the Lemington area who gave their lives.  The pupils’ poetry was also incredibly moving and it is clear that – although 100 years ago – young people remain committed to ensuring that we never forget World War One and its catastrophic effects for so many of those involved.’