Across the Principal's Desk

We acknowledge the Wadawarrung People as the Traditional Owners of this land along with their continuing connection to land, water and Culture. We pay our respect to their Ancestors and Elders past, present and emerging.

ANZAC Day was a key feature of last week with our Year 12 students doing an outstanding job in presenting a service for all of our staff, students and guests. Our student leaders (Naomi Gerrard, Jaelyn Brand, Jack Peacock, Luke Arvidson and Ethan Page) each spoke in detail about personal connections or stories that resonated with them in relation to ANZAC Day.

Our students were able to read personal letters written by members of their family, as well as war-time documentation about those who fought, and in some cases lost their lives. It was very moving and very brave of our students to convey these messages in front of the whole school.

We also had two cadets (Jet Kerr and Tucker Devries) in uniform out the front throughout the service and they saluted the flag which was raised and returned to half-mast by two of our Year 12 students (Liam McLinden and Leo Robinson). Representatives from each Year Level laid a wreath, which were handmade by our students during the week, this also reinforced the learning and understanding of what ANZAC Day is about.

We appreciated having Col Gerrard (School Council President) and Des Weller (Legacy Representative) as our guests and we thank Mrs Kerr for doing a terrific job in coordinating the whole service. It was a formal, yet engaging ceremony and the rest of the school demonstrated the expected high level of respect for the occasion. The service was very well received by all who were present and, as Principal, I was very proud to see our students deliver such an important ceremony marking the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

Our students were also involved in the Beaufort and Skipton ANZAC Services. I attended the proceedings in Beaufort on ANZAC Day and was once again impressed with the community involvement and the general atmosphere throughout the various aspects of the morning.

Our School Captains, Jaelyn Brand and Naomi Gerrard represented our school admirably by leading the way and carrying the flags in the march. Tom Lyons and Alex Holm took over the role as flag bearers throughout the ceremony so that Naomi and Jaelyn could lay the wreath on behalf of our school.

We had many students present on the day in various uniforms from a broad range of organisations – it was terrific to see so many from across our community participating. Well done to all involved, for bringing everyone together and making it all happen, particularly after difficulties of last year.