It is something akin to a Cinderella story watching our Year 12 school boys and girls transform into stylish, beautifully dressed young men and women arriving on the red carpet at Flaxton Gardens. After seeing them in school uniforms all year, sometimes it is a struggle to recognise them in all their finery.
The formal was a delightful event celebrating 13 years of schooling and it was splendid to see the students relaxing as the night wore on. The dance floor received a good workout by students and staff.
Year 12 Graduation and Clap Out
As you read this we would have already experienced the one event of the year with the highest emotions – Year 12 Graduation and Clap Out.
It is often a day of mixed emotions for the graduates and for those of us saying farewell as the finality of the event sinks in. There is a real sense that it was the end of something special and the beginning of something new.
On behalf of everyone at the College, I would like to wish our Year 12 students of 2018 all the very best. I look forward to learning of their accomplishments in the future.
New oval at halfway mark
Almost as exciting as the formal, graduation and clap out is the fact that our new eastern oval is now more than 50% complete! As you all know, this particular project began at about the same time as the Sports Centre but has been very challenging due to draining issues.
This stage requires a great deal of heavy machinery accessing and moving around the area. Therefore I am reminding you all that there is absolutely no parking on the access road within the College campus that leads off Blackbutt Street and no pedestrian access to the College across the oval.
Five questions (and answers) about Remembrance Day
This year, Remembrance Day was on Sunday so I want to thank all the students who came with me and played a part in the Turner Park service. They included: Aaron Lerch, Jayde Curtis, Natalie Beakey, Tate Doneathy, Caitland Geldenhuys, Bakani Kombanie and Ariana Doolan.
The students not only attended but took an active part in the service. The RSL has relied on Ariana’s beautiful singing and Bakani’s highly accomplished bugle playing for many of their commemorations over the last few years and once again they performed flawlessly. Each of our wreath layers and special attendees was given a special medal as this Remembrance Day was the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.
As it was the 100th anniversary, I thought it would be an opportune time to remind everyone of the reason behind the tradition.
- What is Remembrance Day?
Remembrance Day is when we take time to commemorate those in the armed forces, past and present. We honour these men and women and take time to appreciate their service, sacrifice and commitment to bringing about peace.
2. Why is Remembrance Day on 11 November?
The First World War began officially 28 July 1914 and ended over four years later with a truce on 11 November 1918. It was called ‘the war to end all wars’ and, shockingly, took the lives of more than 15 million people!
After so much suffering and death, we commemorate the day peace finally ended this dark passage in our history.
3. Why is there a minute’s silence at 11am?
The peace treaty was signed at exactly 11am on 11 November. We take a minute’s silence to quietly remember the costly sacrifice that brought about the peace treaty. Many also take the time to pray for those still serving or suffering from war.
4. What is the song played during the minute’s silence?
‘The Last Post’ is played on a bugle or trumpet because of its history during wartime. It was played each day to “signify that the end of the day had come, fighting had ceased for the time being and those who were lost or wounded could follow the sound back to camp for safety and rest”. The Last Post is now played to symbolise the final rest of those who died fighting for their country.
5. Doesn’t Remembrance Day glorify war?
When we pin our poppies to our lapels and lay wreaths at our local cenotaph we are not glamorising war or minimising its horrors. On the contrary, we are reinforcing the solemnity and remembering the enormous and ultimate sacrifices that were made for peace.
We are all familiar with the quote often attributed to George Santayana; “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Remembering the past and honouring those who died for us will teach our children to value freedom and never glorify war.
Mike Curtis, Principal