From the Principal 

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

On Wednesday morning we commemorated ANZAC Day at Gilgai Plains. This is an important annual event at our school, where we remember the contribution and suffering of all those who have served in war and in peacekeeping operations. We currently have parents, grandparents, great grandparents and staff, who are, or have been part of our Australian Defence Force. The commemoration was about saying thank you to these people and I am so very proud of our students, who understood the significance of the ceremony and displayed utmost respect during the service. 

Some of our students prepared speeches for our service and did an excellent job standing in front of our school and community, sharing their knowledge and understanding of the day.

I spoke to the students about what has become known as the “ANZAC spirit.” It was the way the Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought, and the way they faced the hardships and dangers which confronted them, that has forged what has become known as the ANZAC spirit. That spirit has been the driving force behind all Australian servicemen and servicewomen ever since. The ANZAC spirit represents a sense of purpose and direction. I talked to the students about how they can apply this spirit in their everyday life. When they know what work needs to be done at school and what jobs parents may expect them to do around the house, they can use this spirit to get things done, no matter what difficulties they think are in the way.

The ANZAC spirit also includes a sense of compassion. Being kind and considerate. This relates well to our school values, and has been summed up in the Australian experience as mateship. This means to watch out for your mate, help them at all times and to be kind to all those around you. 

Thank you to all parents and families who were able to attend our service. I understand it is very difficult for working parents to attend everything we do at school (and we do seem to do a lot!) however hopefully your children will be able to share with you the message of the ANZAC spirit. Thank you to our amazing staff who made wreaths and poppies with their students and have been sharing stories with the children about ANZAC day. 

We even got to eat some delicious ANZAC biscuits made by Sharon and Allison in our canteen. I hope you have had the opportunity to commemorate and spend time with your family on ANZAC Day too.

Lest we forget.

Anthea Jamieson

Principal