Every year, children, teachers, parents and guests at Rochedale State School pause to observe our own remembrance of Anzac Day. In 2012, our service was held on Tuesday, 24 April as Anzac Day is a public holiday. Our Anzac Day Service is run by the children themselves and they do a great job.

Our ceremony began with the Senior Band playing "Abide With Me"

Then our Girl School Captain, Ashleigh gave the introduction.

"Anzac Day, 25 April, is a day set aside as 'The one day of the year' to solemnly remember those who went to war to fight for their country's freedom. it is a day when all Australians and New Zealanders think about those who answered the call of their country in times of war. Anzac Day is a day when many remember their fathers, grandfathers, mothers, grandmothers, relatives and mates who never returned from war. It is a day to show respect for the sacrifice and courage of the defenders of Australia and New Zealand......

Anzac Day is not a day to glorify war, rather it is a day when we reflect on the awfulness, the death, destruction, futility and horror that it brings. Each year as we remember all those killed and injured in war, we should each vow that, if at all possible, wars should never happen again. We should all promise that we will work towards finding alternatives to war to make our world a more peaceful place."

Our Principal, Mr Smith welcomed the visitors, students, teachers and parents to our Ceremony followed by the Prayer of Remembrance:

LET US PRAY
God of love and liberty,
We bring our thanks today for the peace and security we enjoy and for those who laid down their lives to defend them.
We remember those who in time of war faithfully served their country.
We pray for the families and for ourselves whose freedom was won at such a cost.
Make us a people zealous for peace,
and hasten the day when the nation shall not lift up arms against nation.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

 Then our school band played "The Spitfire March" followed by the Junior Choir who performed an item called "Our Waltzing Anzac".

Our Guest Speaker, Mr John Winter addressed the children and the candle bearers brought forward Candles of Remembrance which remind us of the eternal Flame which burns in War Memorials across Australia.

The Ode was followed by the Last Post, then a minute's silence and finally Reveille.

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.

"LEST WE FORGET"

 Our Ceremony for the whole school concluded with the school singing the National Anthem - "Advance Australia Fair" followed by New Zealand's National Anthem.
Finally we had a short ceremony raising the flags and laying wreaths at the memorial stone in our grounds which was provided by Springwood RSL.

Click here to return to our Anzac Day page.
Click here to return to Rochedale State School's home page.

Page created by Glenda Crew