ANZAC

Anzac Service at Ruapotaka

30 crosses laying in lines on the grassy field on a sunny Friday afternoon.

One by one Mr Reid inserted the 30 crosses in the grass that were given to our school by the RSA to commemorate those who fought for our freedom.  It was not only for those who fought in  World  War One but also in many other wars and those who have lost their lives.

All classes in our school were waiting patiently for their class number to be announced by Mrs Vickers on the speaker to make our way outside. Finally all the classes were instructed to make our way to the Anzac Assembly which was on the steep bank right outside our classroom, Room 12.

Right after everyone was seated on the grass our Principal Mrs Vickers informed us why we were there and why we had a special assembly. She said, “We are here to commemorate soldiers who fought for our country and it is the 100th Anniversary which is very important”.

Next to speak was the Senior Syndicate. The eldest year eights (us) had to read the introductory ‘Fields of Remembrance’. This was read by Miria. The following speaker was Sini who read out with pride a well known Anzac poem called ‘Flanders Fields’. Sini’s younger brother in Room 10, who was a year 5 student (nine years old) also read out a poem which he wrote all by himself.  

Later on was it was the Junior School’s turn. They had one student (Jessica) from Room Six who read out a poem. With expression she read, “Anzac poppy small and sweet, crushed beneath the soldiers feet, fragile petals red as blood, spilled upon the treacherous mud”.

Last of all was the Bugle Call. Before the bugle call could start there had to be silence and we had to all stand up, be still and pay our respects. Once the Bugle call finished everyone sat down. We waited for our teachers to instruct us to go back to our classes. At the end Mrs Vickers thanked us for being there and having respect for Anzac.

As each year passes no matter how long ago it happened New Zealand, Australia and Turkey will never forget Anzac day as well as what it stands for: Australia, New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC)

By: Elizabeth, Cypress, Mikayla, Simon, and Raniera.