The Ultimate Sacrifice

By Jonathan Scampton

Looking out of the classroom windows over the incredible kaleidoscope of colours covering  the school grounds, I was reminded again of how blessed we are to live at peace in such a beautiful environment.

In the week that followed the recent holidays, as a school we celebrated two events that had occurred during the break. Too important that either should pass without recognition, this year we held a combined Easter and ANZAC day service.  Separately these events hold special significance for us, but what an amazingly powerful image was created by having them together! Once again, the solemnity of the ANZAC service was sensitively led by Madame McGrath, ably assisted by the student leadership team. 

Imagine over 500 students simultaneously showing their respect during the Minute of Silence.  The song Avenue of Trees

was played which, fittingly, makes a connection between trees planted as a war memorial and the cross of Christ. Our Prep students helped to further emphasise this connection by placing handmade poppies onto a wooden cross.

John 15:13 tells us, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends".  Both Easter and ANZAC day are such amazing examples to us of ultimate sacrifice.  ANZAC day speaks of the sacrifice of one human being for another. Easter reveals the depth of God's love, through Jesus's payment of the ultimate price for us. We are blessed with peace in our nation because of the sacrifice of our 'Diggers'. We are blessed with peace in our hearts because of the sacrifice of Christ.