CATHOLIC schools across the archdiocese commemorated Anzac Day with ceremonies to recognise and remember Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have served in the defence forces.
This year also marked 99 years since ANZAC troops landed and fought courageously in Gallipoli during the First World War.
Year 7 students at St Kevin’s School, Benowa’s presented a moving tribute to the ANZACs during a weekly assembly leading up to Anzac Day.
The school community gathered to watch the Year 7 students and principal Sue Curtis, process up to the stage with symbols of the ANZACS – a slouch hat, bugle, flag and wreaths of red and native flowers.
This helped remind them of the sacrifice made by the men and women from Australia and New Zealand in the First World War and still today in defending “our country and all that we stand for”.
Teacher Maree Binns said the senior students led the school in prayer and in observing a minute’s silence in honour of the ANZACs.
Ms Binns said you could have heard a pin drop as the students listened to the Last Post and the Reveille – something for a gathering of more than 650 students.
The national anthems of New Zealand and Australia finished off a fitting tribute assembly.
Following the ceremony assistant principal for administration Kevin Yates spoke of the ceremonies that would be held across Australia and New Zealand and also of countries in Europe who would also mark Anzac Day because of the contribution made by Australian and New Zealand troops in defending their towns.
He also encouraged students to one-day make the trip to Gallipoli where the ANZACS are honoured each year.
At St Peter’s, Caboolture Year 6 and 7 students commemorated Anzac Day with a moving service, with a particular focus on the origin of the “red field poppy”.
Student representatives from Prep to Year 7 paid tribute to fallen soldiers by placing red poppies on a mural to represent and remember those who have died in service of their country.
Senior students Bronte Aranovitch and Summer Howe spoke about the origin and significance of the red field poppy during the service revealing how it was one of the only plants to grow on the otherwise barren battlefields once the conflict of the First World War had ended.
Principal Jim Midgley said the ceremony was an important experience for the students and all the participants did a wonderful job of setting a respectful tone for such an important day in Australian history.
