Remembrance Day 

The photoabove shows the crowd in Martin Place Sydney on  the 11th November in the year 1918,  celebrating the news of the signing of the armistice. This date was celebrated in later years as Remembrance Day.

On 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. With their armies retreating and close to collapse, German leaders signed an Armistice, bringing to an end the First World War. From the summer of 1918, the five divisions of the Australian Corps had been at the forefront of the allied advance to victory. Beginning with their stunning success at the battle of Hamel in July, they helped to turn the tide of the war at Amiens in August, followed by the capture of Mont St Quentin and Pèronne, and the breaching of German defences at the Hindenburg Line in September. By early October the exhausted Australians were withdrawn from battle. They had achieved a fighting reputation out of proportion to their numbers, but victory had come at a heavy cost. They suffered almost 48,000 casualties during 1918, including more than 12,000 dead. (photo and story courtesy: The Australian War Memorial)

On  11 November 1918, weapons fell silent and soldiers were liberated. This Remembrance Day, our Year 9 students engaged in a range of activities that strengthened their understanding of the legacy and involvement of Australia in World War I and World War II. This included a presentation with the stories of war veterans, a discussion on an excerpt from Prime Minister Billy Hughes, a moment of silence at 11.00 am to pay our respects, and writing a virtual message on the Remembrance Day 2020 website (Australian War Memorial). 

Finally, thank you to our students who contributed to the construction of a wreath of red poppies to commemorate the servicemen and servicewomen who have served Australia. 

Mrs Nina Ishak

History Teacher