46 heritage for peace and reconciliation | manual for teacherContentsbasic rights specified in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 39). 5Educators who teach on topics relating the past to the present should consider the experiencesof these children. In some cases, it can be helpful to involve the experiencesof these children in class.tp Teaching practicef The students recognize and articulate the ethical and social issues embedded in theschool’s own First World War history.The Royal IBIS School in Bredene, near the Belgian coastal town of Ostend, is aunique school, and not just because of its characteristic marine-styled uniform. Itwas founded by Prince Albert of Belgium in 1906 to provide education and trainingfor orphans who were raised in a fishing-industry environment. Over the years, thisboarding school has developed into a safe haven and stimulating learning environmentfor 6 to 16 year olds coming from socially challenging backgrounds. Surroundedby water, with modern infrastructure and within walking distance of the beach, theIBIS offers both a home and an education (either primary education or maritimesecondary education) to a maximum of 110 boys.For more information:www.ibisschool.beWhen the First World War broke out, the school decided that it was not safe for thechildren to stay in Flanders. On 13 October 1914 – the day before the Germans capturedOstend – the IBIS staff, together with 20 schoolboys who had stayed behind,embarked on IBIS V (0.75) and IBIS VI (0.76), two Belgian steam trawlers sailing toMilford Haven in Wales, Great Britain. There, the staff and students found refuge atthe local secondary school. Throughout the entire War, Milford Haven would remainthe most important refuge for IBIS.In December 1918, IBIS VI was the first fishing vessel to dock at the port of Ostendafter the War. The ship was escorted by the military, and stocked with fish as a giftfrom the Belgian ship-owners at Milford Haven to the hungry people of Ostend.5 Article 39: States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote physical and psychological recoveryand social reintegration of a child victim of: any form of neglect, exploitation, or abuse; torture or anyother form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or armed conflicts. Such recoveryand reintegration shall take place in an environment which fosters the health, self-respect and dignity ofthe child.
Contentsassessment points for peace education based on heritage47Students of the ‘Royal IBISSchool’ pay homage toBernard De Koninck.© Royal IBIS SchoolThe vast IBIS archives include about 30 letters written by one of the school’s formerstudents, Bernard De Koninck. As orphans, both Bernard and his brother were admittedto IBIS in 1907. After his training, Bernard became a navigator. In 1915 hevolunteered for the army. During the War, he wrote letters to the person whom heconsidered to be the only ‘family member’ he still had left, the IBIS school principal.Bernard died in battle in September 1918. Every year, the school organizes a memorialservice at his grave and connects this with a peace concert. IBIS also plans to organizea student exchange with the school in Wales in which the 20 schoolboys found arefuge during the War.Letter fragmentBelgium, 8 October 1915Dearest principal,I was very happy with your letter, and wishto thank you for the money you sent me. Nowprincipal, what you write is true: we will makeit even as soon as we can. You write that theGermans will have to give in soon, but it isvery hard to break through their defence – theirweapons are incredibly strong. But in the longterm things will probably change ...
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