Out and About
European Study Tour
Part 2: Western Front Battlefields Tour & ANZAC Day
From Paris we journeyed to Ypres, Belgium, for the start of our Western Front Battlefield Tour. Led by our very capable and knowledgeable tour manager, Mark, we spent the next four days walking in the steps of the ANZACs.
En route to Belgium, we stopped at Fromelles, a very moving moment as it was here that we learned about Australia’s first battle there in 1916 and the horrific casualties they suffered. We also visited the Australian Memorial Park VC Corner Cemetery and the recently discovered Australian mass grave at Pheasant Wood.
Upon arrival in Ypres, we enjoyed a walking tour of the historic town, visiting the Menin Gate where the names of 54,000 missing British and Commonwealth soldiers are recorded.
Here we attended the moving Last Post ceremony. Group members Jacob, Tayla and Gemma laid a wreath on behalf of Endeavour College.
Before leaving Belgium, we visited Hill 60 and the 1st Australian Tunneling Company memorial. We then made our way to the Passchendaele Memorial Museum, where we interacted with preserved artifacts from
WWI and walked through replica trenches.
As we departed Belgium, we stopped at the Tyne Cot Commonwealth Memorial, which was an emotional moment for all of us to reflect on the devastation of war. Later we arrived in Amiens and had the opportunity to go on a walking tour of this historic city, including the picturesque cathedral.
ANZAC Day was a special highlight of the trip.
It required us to be out of bed by 3am in order to get to Villers-Bretonneux in time for the service at the Australian National Memorial. Although the temperature was below freezing, all of us understood that this was an unforgettable moment that will stay close to all our hearts. The service gave us the chance to reflect and think about the sacrifices made by thousands of Australians for our freedom.
Two of our College Leaders, Vinka and Amelia, laid a wreath on the steps of the memorial tower.
Following the services, we travelled the short distance to the village of Hamel where the locals hosted us for breakfast. We were greeted with such warm hospitality. After breakfast, we made our way outside with other Australians to a small ANZAC Day Ceremony held by the local community. Mrs Rogers carried the European Union flag while Jacob was asked to read the Ode of Remembrance.
Before concluding our battlefields tour, we spent time visiting other significant sites, such as the Newfoundland Memorial Park, the Thiepval Memorial, the Lochnagar Mine Crater, and the village of Pozieres, the place of Australia’s costliest battle and the scene of the heroic efforts of the Australian 1st division.
We also returned to the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux to visit the
Sir John Monash Centre. Here we immersed ourselves in the stories and perspectives of the many Australians who served on the Western Front.
Our journey of remembrance concluded at the Adelaide Cemetery where we learned about the Australian soldier who was exhumed and reburied at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. We were then challenged by our tour guide, Mark, to research and share the story of soldier who’s grave we each personally selected.
We then returned to Paris for one last night before departing on the long-haul home to Adelaide early the next morning.
We all feel extremely fortunate to have made such a special and unforgettable journey. It has been a life-changing experience for all of us. Even though the trip is over, every single member of the group has formed friendships that will last a lifetime along with shared memories. Thank you so much to Mr Harten, Mr Thiele, Mrs Rogers and Mr Baird for leading us so capably.
They became our ‘surrogate parents’ while we were overseas, and we greatly appreciate their care. We also sincerely thank our parents and care givers for their support to attend.
We hope that tours of this kind will be opportunities that Endeavour students will have and embrace in the future.
Battlefields^
ANZAC Day^
Amelia Russell, Tayla Lucas & Kyle Peters
Year12 Europe Study Tour Participants
Rijken Cup Week:
Summary
After 12 weeks of trials, trainings, and preparation we had the chance to perform on the big stage. The Rijken Cup Competition takes the SACSA schools top 50 athletes and pits them against each other over 6 sporting disciplines. Endeavour has one of the smaller cohorts and generally performs well against our larger rivals. This year we took our competitiveness to the next level.
Below is a rundown of the sport and position finished. The weeks highlight was our overall placings.
Our boys finished 1st overall!
A massive achievement and testament to their dedication to trainings and accepting of feedback from coaches.
Our girls achieved above expectations also finishing in 4th position, meaning combined we came in 3rd overall as a school.
We are really proud of this and the work our Sports Leaders in Keelin Chatfield and Matilda Kellogg put in to organise the squad, uniforms and jackets. It was also great to see a number of students get down to watch games after school and cheer on their peers.
A big thanks to the coaches for giving their time and expertise over the journey. Finally, congratulations to our MVP's who were voted in by the coaches.
Girls MVP - Matilda Kellogg
Boys MVP - Ethan Hughes
Girls Netball - 3rd
Boys Netball - 4th
Girls Volleyball - 6th
Boys Volleyball - 2nd
Girls Table Tennis - 7th
Boys Table Tennis - 5th
Girls Soccer - 4th
Boys Soccer - 3rd
Girls Basketball - 1st
Boys Basketball - 3rd
Girls Touch - 5th
Boys Touch -1st
Lachlan Williams
Sports and Carnivals Officer
Year 11 Outdoor Education Camp:
Onkaparinga Gorge
Our Stage 1 Outdoor Education classes battled the weather and rock faces in last week's Hike and Climb Camp. Students tested out the range of skills they have learnt this term on the cliffs of the Onkaparinga Gorge and learnt the rigors of carrying loaded packs in and out of campsites, up and down valleys and even had time to check out a waterhole or two.
Whilst the weather closed in later in the week, students spirits remained high as we tested out the wet weather capabilities of our equipment, which kept us all warm and dry.
A great week, culminating the Outdoor Education experiential learning experience in Semester 1.
Scott Charlton
Outdoor Education Teacher
Debating:
Round 2
Round 2 of the 2024 Debating SA season finished this week and the teams continue to impress with their well-written and strongly delivered speeches.
Round 2 topics:
Year 9 : That courts should not override the rights of parents
Year 10 : That ChatGPT should be banned in schools.
Round 2 results:
10 Blue - WIN (Charlotte Dahlenburg - BEST SPEAKER)
10 Green - WIN (Olivia Vasilev - BEST SPEAKER)
10 Red - WIN (Paige Emery - BEST SPEAKER)
9 Purple - LOST by 0.17 points
9 Yellow - WIN (Ellie Brown - BEST SPEAKER)
Coaches continue to be impressed with each student’s performance across each debate and the amount of Best Speaker Awards secured across all teams. One particular highlight of this round is Paige Emery, who managed to achieve a Best Speaker Award in her second speech ever!
Round 3 will see teams debate some more complex topics:
Year 9 : That 'Hostile Architecture' is necessary
Year 10 : That conscription should be introduced in Australia
Teams are hard at work preparing for these new topics and I hope to report more good news at the end of next round.
^Photo of Charlotte with Best Speaker Award
Anthony Bonini
Debating Coordinator