From the Principal

Peace

As we held our College ANZAC services, the school community has taken time to pause, reflect and remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, our country in times of war, conflict, and peacekeeping. 

For many of our families, ANZAC Day may be unfamiliar. You may have grown up in different parts of the world, with different histories and traditions. And yet, one of the most beautiful parts of life in Australia is how we come together to honour the stories that shape this nation, no matter where we are from. 

ANZAC Day is more than just a history lesson. It is a day when we give thanks for the peace and freedom we enjoy today—freedoms that were protected by the courage, sacrifice, and service of others. The original ANZACs, Australian and New Zealand soldiers who landed at Gallipoli in 1915, showed extraordinary bravery and mateship in the face of hardship. These values—courage, resilience, and looking out for one another—are deeply woven into the fabric of our national identity. 

As a Christian school, we also reflect on the spiritual meaning of sacrifice. 

In John 15:13, Jesus says: 

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” 

This verse speaks to the deep love shown by those who served, not only for their fellow soldiers, but for the generations to come. 

In our Chapel and classroom reflections, we have shared these ideas with our students in age-appropriate ways—helping them understand that while ANZAC Day remembers the past, it also challenges us to live out its values in the present: showing kindness, honouring others, and being peacemakers in our daily lives. 

Thank you for being part of this reflection with us. Whether your family has lived in Australia for generations or only recently made it your home, ANZAC Day is a moment for all of us to remember with gratitude and to stand together in hope. 

Lest we forget. 

Fiona McAuliffe

College Principal