Learning is not limited to textbooks or classrooms. Some of the most meaningful understanding comes from real-life experiences and conversations with people around us. An Upper IV student recently brought in a collection of wartime posters that hold deep personal significance to their family. These posters are not just historical artifacts, they represent a direct connection to the past, carrying a story that spans over a century.

Heidi in Upper IV said “These posters once belonged to my great-great-great uncle, Sir Frank Mellor, who was a senior judge in London during World War I. They were given to him by the Prime Minister to be displayed around the city, but he never put them up. After his death, our family discovered the posters in his apartment—nearly 100 years after the war had ended.”

By sharing these posters, the student was able to connect personal history with wider events. Seeing original wartime posters up close makes the past feel far more tangible than images in a textbook. The bold colours and striking imagery were designed to influence public opinion. It also highlighted how governments communicated with the public before modern technology, relying on visual impact and persuasive messaging to spread information.

Bringing these posters into school demonstrated that history is not just what is written, it can be personal and physical.