Remembering the Anzac's

Remembering Shepparton High School's ANZAC's

This week has been a very special time where students in English classes had opportunities to reflect on the lives of, and sacrifices made by, soldiers in wartime.

Collections of writings from World War 1 were collated and distributed for junior classes to read and discuss during silent reading and Unit 1 Literature looked at some war poetry of Henry Lawson.

In the Year 10 elective Write On, students followed on from an earlier unit on biographical writing, to research and write a short biography on one of the people whose name is listed on the Shepparton High School war memorial plaque.

The plaque is situated on one of the front gates of the school and contains the names of the servicemen who were ex-students and teachers of the High School. These men gave their lives in the service of their country in either World War 1 or World War 2.

Students were able to go to the Australian War Memorial website and gain information on these men such as birthplace, parents’ names, occupation before enlisting, date and place of death and where they are buried. Sometimes additional information was available such as photographs or significant events in the life of the person. Students then assembled these facts into a short written biography.

There was certain poignancy for students in the fact that these men had been young local people, who before the wars had their whole lives before them.

Vicki Sherwood

English Domain Leader