Anzac Service
Our College held Anzac Services at every campus on Friday, 22 April to honour the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom and peace.
Our College held a commemorative Anzac ceremony on Friday, 22 April, ahead of Anzac Day this year. The solemn service encouraged King's students and staff to reflect on the great legacy we have received by the incredible sacrifice of the courageous men and women who gave their lives in battle for our freedom. Our service began with Bagpiper, Callum, playing as the Catafalque Party entered the auditorium. During the Call to Commemoration by Emmanuel Mina Montalvo Wu, student leaders reiterated that Anzac Day is not for celebrating war but for remembering its awfulness and devastation, as we continue to pursue peace and oppose war. Thank you to Miles Descroizilles and Naomi Sweeney, Emmanuel Mina Montalvo Wu, Riley Mulford, Aeisha Boestam, Nisa Ahsani Iravani, Sam Moonen recited "In Flanders Field".
Mr Jason Knight read the honour roll and acknowledged our King's alumni and all of the Australian men and women who are currently serving in the armed forces. We were honoured to have Retired Naval Serviceman, Mr Paul Schipanski, as our guest speaker this year. Mr Schipanski served actively in the Australian Navy and he read the deeply moving poem, In Waters Deep, to the audience.
Flowers and wreaths were laid at the base of the flagpole by our students as a way to remember those who have lost their lives serving Australia in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Staff member Joanne Robinson perfectly played The Last Post, before a minute's silence was taken.
Our Catafalque Party, Lacey Keeley, Tommy Batchelor, Rocco Basham, Gemma Kiley, Lily Hornery, Parmveer Kainth and Toby Mansfield, raised our national flag, before the Australian and New Zealand national anthems were sung, ably led by our talented student vocalists. The Ode to the Fallen was read by our Head of Culture High School, Mr Glenn Miles.
Mr Knight concluded the services by urging our community to live out the Anzac values of courage, self-sacrifice, perseverance and mateship - the character traits reflected in our King's Foundational Values.
We will remember them. Lest we forget.