In this year of key wartime anniversaries Ballakermeen High School will present a public exhibition commemorating aspects of World War One and World War Two on Sunday 12th July, 10am to 4pm. The event organisers are Mr Paul Withington, Faculty Leader for Humanities, and Head of History, and Mr Ian Gaynor of Ballakermeen High School’s Support Unit.

This year, students of Year 9 have studied the First and Second World Wars as part of their History curriculum. They particularly enjoyed a demonstration of wartime artefacts delivered by Mr Ian Gaynor. The school is indebted to Mr Alex Downie OBE MLC for the loan of these items. Mr Downie has kindly agreed to officiate at the official opening of the event on July 12th.

Year 7 also had an opportunity to learn something about the First World War earlier in the year as part of a Humanities Faculty project entitled ‘Conflict’, and are contributing to the planning of the event by painting props for use on the day.

Students were further engaged in their understanding of the conflicts by a visit to the Manx Museum in March, to see how an exhibition is designed. They especially enjoyed the re-enactment of the First World War soldier provided by Mr Barry Quilliam. Back in school, re-enacting featured heavily within feedback from students about what they would like to see in the school’s own exhibition.

Since TT week, Year 9 students have been busily researching elements of the world wars, competing for the right for their effort to be among those chosen for display in the exhibition. These information points will accompany a number of set-piece installations. The public will also be guided around the exhibition by members of Year 9.

The exhibition will be sited in and out of doors with the on-field hall known by the school as the Dome featuring a recreated First World War trench, Morrison shelter and homage to the heroes of the Battle of Britain among other exhibits. Students will also perform a short commemorative drama piece to help set the scene on the reality of warfare. Re-enactors from both world wars will be present to offer explanation and detail about their outfits and role.

Outside the Dome people will be able to stand next to a life sized Spitfire, currently being refurbished in a garage in Jurby. This is being loaned to the school ahead of its next engagement at the Isle of Man At War event to be staged in August. A tank, wartime buses and fire appliances, and jeeps will also feature among the machines of war parked at the school for visitors to see.

On site medical support for the day is kindly being provided by St John Ambulance volunteers who will gamely be presenting themselves as wartime medics in the field hospital, together with Year 9 nurses.

VE-day style light refreshments will also be available in the school’s Studio Theatre foyer.

Thanks are due to many school staff for their contributions to the success of the exhibition, and to the many owners and curators of Isle of Man exhibitions who have kindly agreed to lend items for the exhibition.

Mr Withington is hopeful that the interest in the wars that this exhibition should create will act as an encouragement to students to book their place on a planned visit to First World War battlefield sites in the summer of 2016.