Victory, Bunting, and Cucumber Sandwiches: VE Day at The Villa

Today, The Villa was transformed into a time machine—destination: 1945! As the country marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, our school joined in with a celebration full of history, heart, and a whole lot of cake.

The day kicked off with a special assembly led by Mrs. Collingwood-Ellis, who took us on a whistle-stop tour of World War II (minus the air raid sirens, thankfully). She explained what the war was, why it ended, and how people celebrated peace back in 1945—spoiler alert: it involved a lot of dancing in the streets and not a single mobile phone in sight.

A particularly touching moment came when Tallulah and Elliott shared photos of their great-grandparents, who played pivotal roles during the war.

Then came the pièce de résistance: a street party-style picnic in the playground! Picture this—bunting fluttering in the breeze, picnic blankets galore, and tables groaning under the weight of cakes, sausage rolls, and the most British of all delicacies: cucumber sandwiches. It was a feast fit for a king.

In the afternoon, each class dove into a range of VE Day-themed activities. Reception got crafty with 3D aircraft and homemade bunting (some of which may or may not have ended up as superhero capes). Year 1 and Year 2 created beautiful poppy designs, turning the classrooms into mini art galleries of remembrance.

But beyond the fun and festivities, the heart of the day was a powerful message: that we must never forget the past, and we must always strive for a future built on tolerance, respect, and peace. A big message, yes—but one that even our smallest learners embraced with open hearts and sticky fingers (thanks again, jam tarts).

So here’s to VE Day at The Villa: a day of learning, laughter, and community spirit. And maybe, just maybe, a few leftover cupcakes for tomorrow.