ANZAC

On 24th April, the day before ANZAC Day was commemorated, the students of Sirius College, Shepparton held a memorial assembly for marking the 103rd anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. This was a moving ceremony as we as a school today, honour all those who have served our country in war.

Thanks to the SRC (Students’ Representative Council) who helped organise and present our special ANZAC assembly. They were Raihaan, Mahdi, Nada, Mohamed, Sibel, Milla, Maisam, Zuhair and Feyza.

Students stood in silence as a tribute to the fallen while listening to “The Last Post” and they sang our National Anthem. They were respectful and interested in observing the different class presentations in which the stories of ANZAC were relayed. They were:

Foundation: Slouch Hat
Grade One: Rising Sun Badge
Grade Two: Soldiers of ANZAC
Grade Three: The Last Post
Grade Four: ANZAC Biscuits
Grade Five: The Morning Service
Grade Six: Spirit of ANZAC

A service was also held in Shepparton on the 25th April which began with a march from the RSL club rooms, along Wyndham Street to the War Memorial Park in Welsford Street, Shepparton. Many citizens were present and eagerly watched the catapult guards with their rifles intact, the overhead flight of aircraft and the music and tales of war. They observed the half-masted flags of Australia, New Zealand and the British Empire being raised to full strength.

We were very proud to have two of our senior students, our school captains, in attendance by representing our school at this significant community event. Thank you to Raihaan Syed and Diya Qambari for proudly participating in this service by marching in the parade and later, by laying a wreath as our way of remembering all those who fought in battles particularly at Gallipoli.

We are pleased to provide the school captains’ thoughts from their participation in the Shepparton ANZAC memorial service.

ANZAC by Raihaan Syed

It was a great privilege for me to represent our school on ANZAC Day. We did a few things that were “Once in a Lifetime Chance”. Some of them were:

• Placing a flower wreath at the Shrine of Remembrance.
• Marching from the Shepparton RSL to the Shrine of Remembrance.
• Standing for a minute silence with The Last Post being played.

From this opportunity I learnt a lot.

I learnt that the brave ANZACs fought for the freedom of others.

They also made a quote saying:

“Go home and tell them of us and say;

For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.”

ANZAC DAY by Diya Qambari

On the 25th April, the other school captain and myself, along with the Principal, Mrs. Moran and Ms. Height attended an ANZAC Day ceremony.

We first all met at the RSL and then we went on a march on the road and we made it to a place where there were two statues of two soldiers.

Raihaan and I had to give a wreath of flowers. We laid them down and then we went around lots of people who spoke and gave speeches. We also sang the Australian National Anthem.

It was a great honour being there because we made the school proud of us.

Shane O’Keefe, a returned soldier visited our school in ANZAC week to explain to all classes some war time events and he sang his own version of the impact of war on a small country town i.e. Apollo Bay. He answered the students’ questions and he proudly wore his many war medals. This was an informative and positive experience for the students.

Here is just a small collection of information that tells of the challenges the soldiers faced, the risks they took during wartime and the significance of ANZAC for us today.

“It is with a sad heart I write to you again. Sometimes we have to do things we don’t like to stop worst things happening”.

Wherever you are serving, we wait your safe return. But many of these soldiers did not return to receive the grateful thanks of our nation. They lie on distant shores.

Our soldiers paid a heavy price and established a lasting legacy.

This is not about the celebration of war but a time to reflect and remember the Australian and New Zealand soldiers doing their best.

The passing of time has not diminished the tragedy that occurred at the peninsula of Gallipoli.

We must learn the value of friendship, the lessons of destruction and forge a safer world together of freedom and democracy.

ANZAC Day embraces hope and life and holds fast to that which is good.

We Will Remember Them. Less We Forget.

SRC

Sirius College Shepparton’s SRC have chosen to support the

By

Collecting donations of:

Clothes, toys and other household items that you don’t use any more. We ask that the items are in excellent condition because we want to support this organisation in doing good in the community and making a difference. We do not want items that are poorly presented or should already have been disposed of.

You can also send along non-perishable foods such as baked beans, tinned spaghetti, can fruits etc.

Any of these donations can be placed in the red bin at the front of the school, if they are breakable, carefully leave the items around the bin.

We are also running 3 events at school to raise money:

‘Dress in Red’ day this Thursday 10th May.

If you dress in red, bring along a gold coin as a donation towards supporting the great work the Salvation Army does in our community.

Cake stall on the Monday 14th May. Families can donate cakes, slices, biscuits etc. They can be brought to school on Monday ready for selling.

PJ (Pyjamas) Day 24th May.

If you dress in your PJ’s, please bring along a gold coin as a donation towards supporting the great work the Salvation Army does in our community.