If you could meet a real, live ex-member of the Royal Navy, what would you ask them?
Children at Olsen House were excited to meet Hazel Kemp, who served in the Royal Navy, and who visited the school as part of the school’s work to help children learn more about careers and the wider world.
She spoke about a number of very complex and interesting issues in a question and answer session, including the Falklands War, National Service, and the issues veterans face when leaving the armed forces, including the lack of life skills, money management problems and debt and issues relating to domestic violence.
After the talk the children presented Hazel with a cheque, representing funds that they had raised for SSAFA, The Armed Forces Charity.
Headteacher Mick Olsen said, “We want the children to know how amazing, complex and varied the world outside those doors is, and we also want the world to know how amazing our kids are, and so we are always keen to welcome visitors. They were hugely excited to meet someone who had been in the navy and put together some really thoughtful questions. You could have heard a pin drop during Hazel’s talk, and they were proud to present their cheque knowing that it would make a difference to members of our brave armed services.
The questions the children asked included:
- How did you stay alive?
- How did you get the skills to do a job in the navy?
- Did you have bows on your hat?
- What is HMS Thunderer?
- What convinced you to join the navy?
- Did you ever have to eat military rations?
- What would happen if someone snuck into the barracks?
- Were you ever in danger?
- What happened to my ancestors who were in the armed forces?