Principal's Message
This week we commemorated ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day is a National Day of Remembrance for Australians and New Zealanders at home and around the world.
Anzac Day falls on the 25th of April each year. The 25th of April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916.
On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they took in that name continues to this day.
Many soldiers of all nationalities involved in the fighting were killed at Gallipoli, including more than 8000 Australians. Many more were injured and all had endured terrible conditions, including extreme heat, strong wind, rain and snow, loud noises from weapons and the grief of having people hurt or dying around them.
We remember Gallipoli to remember and honour the soldiers who fought and died or were injured there. The meaning of Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of all Australians killed in military and peace keeping operations.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the children, staff and parents who attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Werribee Cenotaph at 6am on Tuesday the 25th of April. Our student leadership body laid a wreath during the service to respectfully acknowledge those who have served our country. We know of families who commemorated ANZAC Day by baking ANZAC biscuits which have long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) established in World War I. Did you know the ANZAC biscuit was sent by wives and women’s groups to our soldiers because the ingredients do not spoil easily, and the biscuits kept well during naval transportation? And did you also know they were square, and some men were said to have broken their teeth on them as they were so hard?! Ouch! If you would like to try the original ANZAC biscuit recipe from the Country Women’s Association (1914) cookbook here it is, but please bite into them carefully (!!!):
Ingredients: 2 cups rolled oats, 125g butter, 2 tbsp hot water in which you put 1 tsp of bicarbonate of soda, ¾ cup of sugar, 1 tbsp golden syrup and 1 cup of plain flour.
Method:
1). Mix the dry ingredients.
2). Melt the butter and syrup and add the combined soda and water.
3). Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
4). Roll the mixture into walnut sized balls and flatten.
5). Cook the flattened balls in a slow oven at 150 degrees Celsius for approximately 20 minutes.
Building Works
Building works continue around the school. We have had two additional double storey classrooms installed, which are now being fitted out. We have also had additional toilets installed. Electrical upgrades are also occurring. Once the classrooms are in place we will be able to complete the playground, including installation of additional basketball rings. Then we will look at what space we have available for landscaping and installation of extra play spaces, as well as a lockable bike/scooter area. We anticipate building works will be completed by the end of this term, and playground installation and landscaping will be completed by the end of term three. We understand the inconvenience this has caused to families and children and how this has led to greater congestion at school entrances and traffic. Please continue to demonstrate kindness and patience as families and children enter and exit the school grounds at the open entrances. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding.
Pupil Free Day
Friday 24th of May 2024 is a pupil free day.
Take care everyone,
Nadia, Sarah, Missy, Gemma, Lauren, Stephen, Adam and Alana