Reflecting and recognising the contribution of our service men and woman through ANZAC services, the Gymea Technology High School community gathered at two events this year. Firstly the school’s ANZAC service, led by our school Prefects and supported by Ms Eleni Petinos, State Member for Miranda and Mr Ron Vincent from Miranda Sub-branch RSL. A contingent of students, staff and parents also attended the Dawn Service and march organised by Miranda RSL Sub-branch at the cenotaph in Miranda.
The school gathered around the Cenotaph in a garden developed and built by students of this school. The Cenotaph and the boundary Rosemary Garden were a student contribution to the commemoration of 100 years since the landing of Gallipoli. These contributions support an important tradition in our school that exists in our Australian community, a moment to remember and to reflect. As we recited the Ode drawn from the poem “The Fallen”, students and staff alike promised to remember, echoing “We will remember them”. Remembering the service and sacrifice of the ANZACs from 1915 but also the thousands of men and women who served in our military forces. The cenotaph provides our school with that symbol of remembrance, a place we return to, congregate and reflect. Inscribed across the front are the words “lest we forget”. A phrase we use to emphasise the sacrifices that were made by our diggers, the sacrifices made in war in serving others, their country and their people. A call not to forget the ultimate sacrifice of life given for others.
As we engaged students in the service, we reflected on the spirit of the ANZACs, their human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, all qualities that continue to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity, relevance for us as a school, and relevance for each of us as individuals. Those qualities that were spoken about the soldiers at Gallipoli are now proudly spoken as qualities we value in each other today.
Thank you to the Prefects and Ms Polianitis for the wonderful lead and organisation of the school ANZAC service and to Ms Simmons leading the Year 8 vocal ensemble group who beautifully performed the song “Note form a soldier” and the Australian National Anthem.
