Students in Melksham marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on 8th May with a series of special activities, including a rare opportunity to view a Sherman tank built in 1942, a non-school uniform day to support the Royal British Legion, games and a tea party.
The Sherman tank, which was originally built by the Chrysler car company in Detroit, USA, was driven to Melksham Oak Community School by associate headteacher Abbie Clark and her husband, who purchased and restored the tank over several years. The tank is painted with Sherwood Rangers Battalion markings, in honour of the regiment that earned numerous medals for their efforts in overcoming Nazi oppression.
Melksham Oak Community School, part of The White Horse Federation, also organised various activities to commemorate the day. These included a non-uniform day with a voluntary £1 donation to support Royal British Legion veterans. Students were encouraged to wear red, white, and blue, or to dress in armed services uniforms.
Additional activities included themed food in the school canteen, VE Day competitions such as poetry, artwork, badge designs, and cake baking, as well as a special VE Day assembly and quiz. Students with top merit scores were also invited to a tea party with Year 5 pupils from Bowerhill Primary School.
One Year 11 student, who wore their Air Cadet uniform, said, “It was great to see the tank and celebrate VE Day and the armed forces. It was also really exciting to wear our cadet uniforms and share the importance of the cadets.”
A Year 5 pupil from Bowerhill Primary School commented, “The Sherman tank was great, and it even had the World War II details like the bullet holes.”
Abbie Clark, associate headteacher at Melksham Oak Community School, said, “It’s vital for our students to understand why we celebrate VE Day. Our aim is to ensure that all students remember this important day while supporting our veterans in need. I’m pleased to see how much the students engaged with the activities, and I hope this has been a day to remember for everyone.”
Moira Laffey, governor at Melksham Oak Community School, added, “There was a real buzz in the school when governors visited on this very important day. The tank was a special focus, but it was also heartwarming to see the pride with which some students wore their cadet uniforms, as well as the enthusiasm with which the top merit score winners joined the Bowerhill Primary pupils for their tea party.”
