PUPILS from a Westcliff secondary school performed a play based on the First World War in front of family and friends.

The girls of St Bernard’s High School staged an exhibition and a performance at the Beecroft Gallery, Westcliff, supported by PinpointCreate, the Southend based arts organisation.

The gallery’s lecture hall was transformed into a theatre for Pinpoint’s recent show, Southend Remember Us and as part of Pinpoint’s year-long Heritage Lottery-funded project, St Bernard’s students were invited to perform in the theatre.

Emma Carlile, head of drama, worked with 42 students to script and direct the show.

One of the school’s singing groups was also involved, led by music teacher Tina Vinson.

Head of dance Sian Alexander’s dance company also took part.

The cast performed their show, Remember Us, for three nights. The show was based on Southend during the First World War and focused on what war meant to those left behind to cope, and on the young men who wanted to go to fight to be heroes.

It will be performed again to the school in July during Arts Week.

Alongside the show, the students mounted an exhibition featuring work about the war from across the school and across subjects ranging from History, IT and art to English and textiles.

Headteacher Pat Barron said: “Everyone involved in the project has worked very hard over the last few months to put together this remembrance of the war.

“It has given the girls a deep understanding of the impact of the war on the people of Southend. I am very proud of their enthusiasm, talent and commitment and grateful to the staff who supported them.”

Mary-Ann Connolly, herself a former St Bernard’s pupil and now creative director of PinpointCreate said: “I’m proud of my former school for putting on such a moving and well-performed show. It’s great to work with young people in this way to give them a greater understanding of their history.”