TEACHING & LEARNING

Last week, our nation marked ANZAC Day, a time to remember those who served with courage, sacrifice, and commitment. It is also a time to acknowledge the cost of that service: lives lost, families impacted, and the lasting effects of war. The day is shaped by ceremonies and moments of reflection, including standing together, observing a minute of silence, and listening to the Last Post. As a Collingwood supporter, I’m always struck by the ANZAC Day game at the MCG and how the notoriously large and raucous crowd can stand in complete silence to honour the legacy of those who served on our behalf and those in active service today. 

It is a deeply powerful moment of gratitude and respect. For our students, the ANZAC Day legacy raises an important question: What will they do with the opportunities they have been given? 

At BHCS, our students learn in classrooms where they are supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow. But learning does not simply happen. It develops through practice, effort, and the choices students make each day. Each day presents small but important decisions: Will I make the most of my opportunities? Will I try when something feels challenging? Will I put aside distractions and focus? Will I listen carefully and act on what I have been taught? Individually, these choices may seem small. Over time, they shape progress. The qualities we associate with ANZAC Day; courage, perseverance, discipline and respect, are just as relevant in learning.  It takes courage to attempt something new, perseverance to continue when it is challenging, and discipline to focus and improve over time. 

Respect is evident in how students approach their learning, listen to others, and contribute to a positive learning environment. Reflection also plays an important role. When students pause to think about what they have learned, what they found difficult, and what they need to do next, their understanding deepens. Learning moves beyond simply completing tasks to genuinely understanding them. 

As it says in Proverbs 4:7, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it costs all you have, get understanding.” ANZAC Day reminds us that legacy is not only something we remember; it is something we respond to. For our students, that response is seen in the way they approach each day. At BHCS, we encourage students to recognise that their daily choices matter. Through effort, reflection, and perseverance, they take increasing ownership of their learning. 

In this way, the legacy we remember on ANZAC Dayis carried forward, not only in what we honour but also in how our students choose to learn, grow, and shape their future.