In this week’s school assembly and classroom discussion, we’ll be focusing on an important recent story in the news: the launch of a new poppy design as part of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal for 2023. The New Poppy Design for 2023 The Royal British Legion has unveiled a new poppy this year, marking the first change to the iconic symbol in almost 30 years. The new poppy is completely plastic-free and will be available from volunteers across the UK as well as in supermarkets. This innovation reflects a growing effort to make the campaign more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Why Is the Poppy Appeal Important? The Poppy Appeal is an annual campaign that encourages people to wear a poppy to show their support for the armed forces community, especially in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday on 12th November. The funds raised assist veterans, current serving personnel, and their families throughout the year. The poppy itself has a long history as a symbol of remembrance for those who have died serving their country, with its origins traced back to the fields of Europe during the First World War and the famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. What’s Different About This Year’s Poppy? The 2023 poppy features several notable changes. Over the past three years, the Royal British Legion has been working on a plastic-free version to reduce single-use plastics. In collaboration with the design company Matter and paper specialists James Cropper, the new poppy is made entirely from paper. Importantly, 50% of the paper used comes from offcuts of recycled coffee cups, making the new poppy recyclable in household collections. The familiar red petals are joined by a black centre embossed with ‘Poppy Appeal’, and for the first time, there is no plastic stem or centre at all. How Have Poppies Changed Over Time? Over nearly a century, the design of the poppy has evolved, but its core purpose—to honour and remember—remains unchanged. This year’s move to a fully paper design reflects both a respect for tradition and a commitment to sustainability. Students are encouraged to reflect on the various designs over the years, discuss which design is their favourite, and consider the reasons behind the changes. Classroom Discussion Ideas Here are some suggested discussion points for the classroom: What prior knowledge do you have about Remembrance Sunday and the Poppy Appeal? Why do you think the campaign is important? Who does it help? What role do volunteers play in the Poppy Appeal? After learning about the evolution of the poppy design, which version do you prefer and why? If you were to design your own poppy, what material and look would you choose for sustainability? Can you think of any other symbols or objects that represent something important to you? Further Resources and Activities For those interested in learning more, you can watch a video that shows how the poppy design has changed over time and read more about the story on BBC News. Links to these resources and more opportunities to share your thoughts and join discussions are available below. * Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample * Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss * Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
