Principal

Today we shared in the annual services at Junior and Senior schools to mark tomorrow’s ANZAC Day. I was again impressed by the students’ capacity to understand the significance of the occasion, and to engage with appropriate gravity and respect. Our guest speaker this year at the Senior School service was Captain Andrew Robertson, an Old Collegian from the Class of 2016. After finishing at College, Andrew pursued a career in the Australian Army, through the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Military College – Duntroon. Andrew gave a precis of his career in the Army, and linked his experiences with the significance of the ANZAC legacy. Andrew’s address, coming from a young member of the Defence Force, gave our students a tangible and modern perspective on service and the continuing relevance of the ANZAC story. It was wonderful to welcome Andrew back to his school, and I am grateful to him for making the journey from Sydney to give this year’s ANZAC Address. 

A recording can be viewed here https://vimeo.com/1064891345/d0b5b8c0f9?share=copy

The flags at Senior School also stood at half-mast on Tuesday as a mark of respect on the death of Pope Francis. While ours is not a school in the Catholic tradition, Francis’s leadership transcended denominational differences. Francis’s manifest humility and commitment to serving others have clear echoes in the traits we marked today in our ANZAC services and that we will reflect on tomorrow. His concern for those less fortunate kept him connected and grounded despite his ascension to the leadership of the Catholic Church. In this he was an example of compassion and grace, and we are all lesser for his passing. 

The College contingent for the Hamilton ANZAC march will form up on Gray St at the corner of Gray St Primary, just prior to 10:00am tomorrow. All families are welcome to join us. Students attending should be in full winter uniform.