Blanchelande Girls’ College pupils gathered at the school’s own war memorial for the two-minute silence yesterday which marked the 90th anniversary of the Armistice. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0670205)

WE MUST remember the sacrifice past generations made so that we can live in freedom, says the head girl of Blanchelande Girls’ College.

Vikki Freeman, 17, and more than 200 of her schoolmates gathered around the war memorial on the playing fields to observe two minutes of silence to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

‘We must not forget. It’s because of them that we can live the way we do. Some gave up their lives for us,’ she said. The tradition of honouring the war dead at school every year was very important, she said, and would be remembered by all.

‘One year I was not at school when the siren went off, but I still stayed silent. It’s something you do out of respect. It didn’t feel right not to,’ she said.

‘I will remember these occasions after I finish school. They help people realise what it’s all about and how important what happened still is.’