Montessori

ANZAC Day

by

Sofia Gil-Quinn, Montessori B

On Thursday the 23rd of April 2026, all the Mitcham Primary School leaders took a bus to the Cenotaph in the Box Hill Gardens to take part in the Schools ANZAC Service.

The year 2026, marks 110 years since the Battle of Fromelles in 1916. Twenty‑three schools took part in the ceremony, each one choosing two representatives to lay a beautiful wreath of flowers on the ANZAC Memorial. This heart‑warming ceremony also included a Catafalque Party Mount ( which is a ceremonial guard of four members—plus a commander and reserve), the ANZAC Requiem, The Ode, the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems, and more traditional customs that made the ceremony really special, such as the Last Post with the minute of silence. 

There was also a short history of ANZAC day and a story about the youngest known soldier to be in the Army, a prayer and an Introduction by both John Harward (President of Box Hill RSL) and the Whitehorse Mayor, CR Kirsten Landford! 

The ceremony really highlighted the true importance of ANZAC Day, from the flag and guide book the school leaders were given, to the meaningful ceremonies and presentations. 

“Lest we forget.”