On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we gathered on The Avenue and paused for a minute of silence to honour those who have died or suffered while serving in wars, conflicts, and peace operations. We also kept in mind those in our community who are currently serving in the Australian Defence Force. Four of our Year 8 students spoke beautifully during the all-school reflection, including Aelyf’s Acknowledgement of Country and Grace’s reading of The Ode. Eli and Kahlie, both Year 10
students and RAAF cadets, manned the flagpoles. Our students were very reverent and respectful on the day.
Tom, a Year 10 student, shared with us: “Remembrance Day is a day for all Australians to
acknowledge those who fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We wouldn’t be where we are as a country without their sacrifices.”
Tom and Ronniel accompanied me to the Rockingham Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph, where we listened to members of the Rockingham RSL and HMAS Stirling speak about their experiences in the ADF. They then laid a wreath on behalf of our grateful school community. This was a very meaningful experience for both Tom and Ronniel, as their fathers are currently serving in the Royal Australian Navy.
Ronniel, another Year 10 student, also shared: “I was proud to represent the Kolbe school community at the Rockingham Remembrance Day Service to show appreciation to those who have fought so that we are able to live peacefully.”
