From the Deputy Principal

Remembrance Day

Today we celebrated Remembrance Day, which falls on 11 November each year. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, a minute's silence is observed and dedicated to those who died.  Including World War One, over 120,000 Australians have lost their lives in wartime service. This includes World War Two, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, service in the Gulf Wars and Afghanistan, the Pacific, South East Asia and through United Nations Peacekeeping duties.  This year is the 80th anniversary of Australian forces on Greece and Crete in World War II.  We acknowledge the service, commitment and mateship of all service men and women.

Since 1920, the red poppy has been used as a symbol of commemoration. They were the first plants to bloom in the battlefields of Northern France and Belgium.  In the folklore of soldiers, the vivid red colouring of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades soaking into the earth. The poppy flower grew rapidly and in large numbers across the graves of thousands of soldiers, leading it to become a symbol of sacrifice and loss.  It wasn’t long before the poppy became a widely accepted symbol of remembrance throughout the allied nations. As a result, it has been worn on Armistice Day ever since.

It was these poppies, springing up on the battlefields, that inspired Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae to pen the most notable poem of the time, In Flanders Fields, which we heard recited today.  

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you, from failing hands, we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Walk to Remember

We enjoyed a glorious morning's sunshine as we dedicated our Walk to School day to remembering those who have served Australia.  Striking out for Coraki Park we headed to school and enjoyed the views over Oyster Harbour, taking a moment to reflect on our good fortune in enjoying the lifestyle we do, due to the sacrifice of others. I can't wait for our next Walk to School Day!

Mrs Emma Franklin | Deputy Principal