Ian Mason of the Essex branch of the Historical Association has details of an exciting competition open to primary and secondary schools across the county.
Ian explains:
As part of our efforts to recognise the significance of the Great War of 1914-1918 for the people of Essex, Essex Branch of the Historical Association proposes to run an ‘annual’ competition in each school year: 2014-15; 2015-16: 2016-17; 2017-18. Entries may be completed as part of a school’s usual history work and are not meant to add any extra burden. Rather, we would champion the good work that goes on, but is all too often unsung beyond the school’s walls.
The competition is open to students of Key Stage 1; Key Stage 2; and Key Stages 3 & 4, and 5. Each year the following top prizes will be awarded:
1. O
ne prize of £150 to be spent on history resources for your school
2. One prize of £100 to be spent on history resources for your school
3. One prize of £50 to be spent on history resources for your school
All entries commended by the judges will receive:
(i) a certificate of worthiness from Essex HA;
(ii) a signed copy of The Impact of Catastrophe: the People of Essex and the First World War 1914-1920 by Paul Rusiecki, (for teacher reference and for the children’s library), and a copy of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse (for the children’s library);
(iii) inclusion in an online gallery of written work as well as images, films that will display together submissions from all of the different age groups.
Our three judges are experienced teachers in Essex schools: one in primary classrooms another in the secondary phase with over twenty years as an examiner of GCSE history and the third is also a representative of the Western Front Association, (Essex Branch). Their task will be in the first place to identify the best entries from each key stage and then to debate which exceptional offerings should be rewarded with a top prize. Our judges will be overseen by historian-members of Essex Branch of the HA.
Our judgement will be exercised in three main areas: (i) the skilful selection and marshalling of historical evidence; (ii) the appropriate use of imagination in story-telling and illustrative material; and (iii) in effective writing and presentation. The judges’ view will be final.
Essex Record Office in Chelmsford will be pleased to host the prize-giving and mount a physical display of schools’ work, (but if you are able to provide a digital summary of your school’s work, its progress and outcomes, then an online display of many entries will be possible). A tour of ERO for winners is offered with a look at original sources from World War 1. Where convenient schools may take advantage of ERO school workshops, (but this is not a requirement of winning). Please note that though the organisers of this competition are delighted to have the support of Essex Record Office, ERO itself is not responsible for the competition’s organisation.
Students can approach researching and telling about the impact of war at any community level, e.g.
The local War Memorial;
An Essex Family and World War I;
An Essex Street in World War 1;
An Essex School in World War 1, (using the rich resources many schools have in the form of their log books);
An Essex Community Group such as Church, sports club, or other association;
An Essex village, town or city in World War 1.
Competition entries can include a variety of forms:
A song;
A play;
A day in the life of…;
A town or village trail;
The celebration of an anniversary;
An historical re-enactment;
Older people talking;
A paper-based essay;
A project book;
A website or blog;
A podcast;
A series of digital photos or movie record on CD or DVD disk.
But whatever the medium chosen for the work, judges would prefer to have physical submissions in an easily manageable form that at their largest will fit into a standard plastic storage box: 75x40x40 cms.
You are asked to contact Ian Mason or Essex Branch of the HA with a hint that you are intending to take part and finally that you have completed and wish to deliver. Competition entries to be delivered by 15 August of 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018 to Essex Record Office after a telephone call to 033301 32500 alerting of their arrival.
For any further details please contact Ian Mason.