Anzac Day Service

On Wednesday morning we held our annual Anzac Service. On this day we remember the sacrifice of those who came before us:

The sacrifice of our 30 Old Boys on our Roll of Honour, who gave their lives in service during World War II and the Korean War.

The sacrifice of all our Old Boys who served during the war and survived, yet forever carried the scars of that service with them.

The sacrifice of our wider communities tūpuna. The Grandparents, Great-Grandparents and more who served and sacrificed for our country and our freedom.

This year we were reminded of the Ode of Remembrance as shown below by our Guest Speaker (Old Boy Mr David Cottle). Each year as part of our service boys process out of the Chapel and place a poppy in front of our Lawn of Remembrance where 30 crosses stand. Ensuring that as the ode reminds us - we remember them.

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. We will remember them.

E kore rātou e kaumātuatia Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore Ahakoa pehea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā I te hekenga atu o te rā Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.

We remember their sacrifice, we remember what they fought for, we remember the horror they endured. We do this to honour them, but also to remind ourselves that we must go to great lengths to avoid war like this again.

I am always proud of our boys at this service. They reliably honour the occasion with the respect and focus it deserves. It is wonderful to see some wearing service medals, to hear their stories of their connections. Grand-fathers, great-grandfathers and more who served. To see this young generation remembering despite the many intervening years. Our service is also a service of hope and worship. Hope that this can be avoided again. Micah 4:1-4 was read during our service an extract of which is copied below. A vision of what we pray and hope for as a Presbyterian School.

He’ll establish justice in the rabble of nations

and settle disputes in faraway places.

They’ll trade in their swords for shovels,

their spears for rakes and hoes.

Nations will quit fighting each other,

quit learning how to kill one another.

Each man will sit under his own shade tree,

each woman in safety will tend her own garden.

Mike Brown

Chaplain