PUPILS at Bratton Primary School marked Remembrance by crafting poppies while the school’s Little Troopers, a lunchtime club for children of those serving in the armed forces, hiked to the White Horse to raise money for the Royal British Legion.
The school says, “There have been some beautiful crafted poppies appearing around Bratton Primary School this week as students from all classes create items to link in with Remembrance and the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. 
“Students have crafted homemade poppies, individual flowers designed for a class wreath, Remembrance crosses made during Forest School with nature materials located from the school grounds, lovely colouring from the children who attend Wrap Around Care provision, and even poppy-shaped biscuits hand baked by Miss Youngs in the school kitchen.
“Mrs Hawke, and two children who attend the school’s Little Troopers club, attended the village Remembrance Day service on Sunday 12th with one of the students reading The Kohima Epitaph aloud for all to hear prior to laying a wreath on behalf of the whole school community and to pay respects to the fallen.”
Earlier in the month on Saturday 4th November, Mrs Hawke hiked to the White Horse with her army of Little Troopers to raise money for the Poppy Appeal.
The school added, “The children started their walk at Bratton Primary School and walked to Westbury White Horse before enjoying hot chocolates and marshmallows. This walk is a great achievement as it’s such a distance for some of the little legs involved, and the sweet treats at the end were certainly deserved!
“Bratton Primary’s Little Troopers club is a place where military children are invited to join other military children to have lunch, play games, and celebrate all things forces. The aim of the club is to ensure all service children at Bratton Primary feel supported and have the opportunity to share their experiences in a safe place, over lunch with like-minded friends.
“Mrs Hawke, who runs the club, is a military wife and is able to help our Little Troopers explain to others the unique challenges and opportunities that go hand in hand with being part of a military family. Due to this experience, Mrs Hawke is in the perfect position to help and support our Little Troopers during times of family deployment, military events and other things specific to forces families.
“Where possible, we ask our Little Troopers to get involved in things around the school, for example engaging in the school Remembrance Service and raising money for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. By doing this, we hope to provide an insight into what it is like to be a service child by bridging the gaps between pupils and our Little Troopers.
“When starting the school, every Little Trooper is personally invited by letter and is given his or her own Little Troopers badge in assembly so they can be identified and celebrated throughout the school. If you spot one of our Little Troopers, be sure to ask them about their special club!”
