Thursday 24 April 2014

Anzac Day Ceremonies

On Thursday 24 April ANZAC services were held across the School. The ANZAC day services are an important way for students and the whole Ivanhoe community to come together and reflect on and remember the sacrifices of those who have served military service.

The day started with Buckley House hosting a service that is shared with grandparents of students from Prep to Year 2. It was wonderful to see grandparents, students and staff enjoying this significant occasion together.

Following on, services were conducted at Plenty Campus as well as the Middle Years and Senior Years at The Ridgeway Campus. The Cadet Unit posted a Catafalque Guard and the names of former Ivanhoe students who have lost their lives at war were read out.

During WWII, the founding Headmaster, The Reverend Sydney Buckley, kept in close contact with his old boys who were on active service and the School has a unique record of their stories.

Seventy past students lost their lives and every year their relatives are invited to the service. Every four years rather than having a guest speaker, the personal history of each of the fallen is told. Six Prefects read these poignant personal stories aloud at the service.

The Principal, Rod Fraser, spoke about the significance of ANZAC Day and remembering those who have served for our country.

The Plenty Campus Cadets will continue the tradition of supporting the Whittlesea ANZAC Day march, as well as the service at Laurimar and the dawn service at Epping on ANZAC Day.

The Ivanhoe Cadet Unit will provide the flag party for the Heidelberg RSL service as well as participate in the city march. It is a wonderful opportunity for the Cadet Units at each Campus to make a significant contribution to the local communities.

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