Great Crosby Catholic Primary 01519248661 admin.greatcrosby@schools.sefton.gov.uk
The Northern Road, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 2RQ
VE Day 2025 - VEmail Project
VE Mail is a letter-exchange activity between school children and young people,
and a living Second World War veteran.
On 8th May 2025, we marked 80 years since VE Day – a moment to honour the Second World War veterans whose courage, sacrifice, and resilience secured the freedoms we enjoy today. VE Mail connects students with these veterans, preserving their first-hand stories for future generations.
In 1945, people across the UK and beyond wrote letters to share their experiences of VE Day with friends, family, and loved ones. These letters remain a powerful record of the emotions, relief, and celebrations that marked the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Now, 80 years on, we joined with other schools and youth organisations to hear from those who lived through VE Day and to help preserve their stories for future generations.
We received letters from Second World War Veterans – a personal account of their experiences during the war and on VE Day.
The project aim was to connect with history – Children and young people engage with the
veteran’s story, gaining first-hand insight into what VE Day meant in 1945 and why it still matters today.
Our children responed with their reflections, expressing gratitude and sharing how they will help preserve the veteran’s legacy.
Some of our children were recorded by BBC Radio Merseyside and were broadcast during the week of VE Day.
Click on the links below and note the times.
Bombardier Tom Jones and Oscar
Kevin Duala Show
Tue 6th May 2025
Listen from 2:25:00
Bombardier Tom Jones's message is 'Be kind and please choose peace'.
Commando John Eskdale and Esme
Helen Jones Show
Tue 6th May 2025
Listen from 2:41:00
Commando John Eskdale and Harry
Kevin Duala Show
Wed 7th May 2025
Listen from 2:19:50
Commando John Eskdale and Evie
Kevin Duala Show
Thu 8th May 2025
Listen from 1:22:16
Commando John Eskdale and Amelia
Kevin Duala Show
Fri 9th May 2025
Listen from 2:22:22
We Need To Walk About Empire
We are trialling a resource entitled 'What can Liverpool's buildings tell us about the city's links with the British Empire?'
The main objectices are:
· To allow pupils to develop an age and key stage appropriate knowledge and understanding of the concept of empire
· To introduce pupils to the impact of the British Empire on Britain
· To support pupils to make links between the growth of Liverpool and the British Empire
· To allow pupils to explore the impact that the British Empire had had on Liverpool, which is still evident in its buildings and monuments today
The main part of this resource is a history trail “We Need to Walk About Empire”. This trail starts and ends at Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum. It includes seven sites which highlight Liverpool’s role in the British Empire and allows pupils to explore the impact that it had on the city through the buildings and monuments that still stand today.
In school we have walked the trail virtually. Click/tap the image to open the virtual trail.
Some children have walked the trail with their families and sent photos. Scroll down to see them.
Click/tap the image to open the virtual trail.
Remembrance Day 2024
Remembrance Sunday - Alexandra Park
It was an honour to be asked to take part in the Remembrance Sunday service at Alexandra Park, Crosby this morning. Two of our children helped to lay a wreath with a pupil from St Nicholas's on behalf of the children of Crosby.
Remembrance Day
In our Prayer and liturgy assemblies , we commemorated Remembrance Day with a one minute silence and lots of information about the world wars and Liverpool. Some children brought artefacts and told family stories.
Forest School Poppies
In Forest School today, we used hammer and nails to create a poppy for Remembrance Day.
We used wool to weave around the nails. It was tricky and we had to use good hand/eye coordination.
Click/tap the image to see more photos.
Daniel's Family Story
My great-grandad served in World War 2. After the war he made poppies.
He was awarded medals for being in the war and saving people’s lives: the Defence Medal, two 1939-1945 medals, the African Star and the Burma Star.
My great-nan worked in a munitions factory making bombs.
My great-grandad sent his medals back as a protest in the 1980s. My grandparents tried hard to get them back and managed to do so. The first time I saw them I cried.
My great-grandad was called Daniel too.
Jack's Family Medals
Jack's Family Medals
Jack in Year 3 brought his great-great grandfather's medals to show his class and Mrs Murphy. They are from the Boer War and World War I. How many monarchs can you spot?
Remembrance Day 2023
We commemorated Remembrance Day on Thu 9th Nov in an afternoon assembly.
Y3 children were asked who we are remembering and older children were asked the meaning of 'Lest We Forget'.
Mrs Murphy talked about the first Remembrance Day and the sad story of the Grossart brothers who lived in Crosby.
Some Year 5s read their moving poppy poems in the style of Laura Mucha.
Year 6s led our prayers.
Our EYFS children in Forest School have made poppies for Remembrance Day.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 - One Day
On Holocaust Memorial Day we turned our website purple to commemorate the day. Year 6 saw the film 'The Island on Bird Street' at the Plaza cinema.
. Other year groups learned about the Holocaust on the theme of 'One Day', through a variety of age appropriate activities from The Holocaust Educational Trust and Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
Please read their responses to the question on the display.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 - One Day
Holocaust Memorial Day weblinks
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
Click on the image to learn about this charity and find resources
Click on the image to learn about the Holocaust Educational Trust and use their resources.
History links
History Storytime Podcasts
Listen to History storytime for children with 7 year old Sophie, 5 year old Ellie and their Daddy. Exciting stories of knights in shining armour and their battles. Henry VIII, the Tudors, Romans, World War 2, George Washington, Columbus and more. Even amazing stories of animals in history like elephants, dogs, cats and pigeons. Stirring stories of love and betrayal. Strong women and how they changed history. Real life narrative history as it should be told. Valued by teachers, enjoyed by parents, loved by kids. Helps support the National Curriculum with Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2).
Sefton Libraries Posters
From Sefton Libraries Project
VE Day 2020
