On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 2021, Doncaster Secondary College collectively stopped to mark Remembrance Day, pausing for a minute's silence at 11:00am.

Remembrance Day marks the end of fighting on the Western Front on November 11, 1918. We officially observe this day at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month. It is a day for us to remember all who have died or suffered in all wars, armed conflicts and peace operations. It is a time for us to remember a relative, friend or ancestor, or reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who have died in war.

On Thursday at 10.30am the College lowered their flags to half-mast while the stage was prepared for our Remembrance Day service. This year, Ms Chiuchiarelli and Middle School students Abbey M. (year 8), Oliver B. (year 8), Sarah C. (year 8), Patrick M. (year 9), Marc M. (year 9) and Chloe L. (year 9) took the lead in authoring and delivering our Remembrance Day service to the entire school.

Nerves were slightly heightened as this was our first livestreamed College event. Over the past week Mr Sprigg, Mr Tang and year 11 student Ryan W. have been busy with the installation and trialing of the high-tech equipment required to host a livestream event.

At 10.50am, all classrooms and staff offices switched on their monitors to tune into the livestream service. Our service began with the Acknowledgment of Country, delivered by Ms Chiuchiarelli, followed by a Welcome speech from Abbey M.

Reading a poem or original works at a Remembrance Day service helps the audience understand the military experiences of those involved in war. It also helps the audience to recognise and remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans and serving personnel. Year 8 student, Oliver B., read a recount from 1917 by British Lieutenant Edwin Vaughan, followed by an original piece written by Oliver himself.

“From the darkness on all sides came the groans and wails of wounded men; faint, long, sobbing moans of agony and despairing shrieks. It was too horribly obvious to me that dozens of men with serious wounds must have crawled for safety into shell holes. And now the water was rising above them, and powerless to move, they were slowly drowning.”

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an agreement was reached between all parties for an armistice to end World War 1. The guns around Europe fell silent. The Great War had ended, with Australia and its allies as victors, but at an enormous cost. Today we remember those who died for us, for our freedom, and we honour their memory and sacrifice. We remember those who died in the Gallipoli campaign, German New Guinea campaign, the Western Front and the Middle East. In the Great War, the Anzac force proved themselves as fearless soldiers and valuable men, earning many medals and honours.

Every day, the ANZACs had to deal with overcrowding, disease, mud that could swallow you whole, and going into unknown territory, facing the enemies gun fire.

During the Great war sixty-six thousand Anzac lives were lost, and today we honour them. Remembrance Day is the day we honour them, by having a minute of silence for all the Anzacs that died during the great war.

Oliver B., year 8

Oliver concluded his speech by reading out The Ode, which is the fourth stanza of the poem For the Fallen by Laurance Binyon. Students and staff stood for this.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them."

The red poppy is the traditional emblem of Remembrance Day, originating from the flowers that bloomed in their thousands over the devastated, muddy battlefields of northern France and Belgium during the first World War. The poppy represents a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made by soldiers. A single flower can be worn or a wreath can be laid at a service in tribute.

Introduced by Patrick M. of year 9, Sarah C. and Abbey M. of year 8 laid a wreath under our College flags in remembrance of our fallen soldiers.

In military tradition, the Last Post is the bugle call that signifies the end of the day's activities. It is also sounded at military funerals to indicate that the soldier has gone to their final rest. Before the minute of silence, The Last Post was played through the College speakers and the school was filled with an eerie and evocative atmosphere, charged with the memory of generations of the fallen.

At 11.00am, Sarah C. introduced the minute of silence.

"Now we will have a minute of silence to honour and remember those who fought and lost their lives in war."

The Doncaster Secondary College Remembrance Day service was closed by year 9 students, Marc M. and Chloe L.

"Thank you for taking the time today to commemorate those who have lost their lives whilst serving this country. Without them, our lives would lack the freedom and happiness that we take for granted today."

We will remember them. Lest we forget.

Doncaster RSL

Mr Morris, Oliver D. (8E), Sophie N. (9F) and Ella R. (9A) participated and represented our College at the Doncaster RSL Remembrance Day 100th Commemoration Service.

Our students were active participants in the Service with Oliver D. singing the National Anthem, and Sophie N. & Ella R. presenting a poetry reading.

Well done and thank you students for representing our College so well on Remembrance Day 2021.

A big 'high five' to Mr Sprigg, Mr Tang and Ryan W. for delivering a successful Remembrance Day livestream College event! Their hard work and preparation paid off as the Remembrance Day livestream service was delivered perfectly.

Stay tuned for more livestreamed College events!

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