Dannevirke South School marks Anzac

A full South School assembly on Thursday afternoon, April 13, celebrated the Anzac spirit and recognised the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the conflict.

Held in the school hall, the children sat around a memorial of three crosses as firstly the guest speaker Major Craig Dalgleish explained how the Anzac spirit was forged in Gallipoli and what it means today. He commended the values of courage, commitment and comradeship to the children as worthy ones to follow but also included forgiveness, citing General Ataturk’s kindness in allowing the Anzac Memorial on Turkish soil.

He explained ceremonies like this were important.

“We can only continue to learn if we continue to remember,” he said, concluding with Lest We Forget.

After the school sang the NZ Soldier Song and Georgia Edwards read a poem, children laid wreaths to be followed by the singing of Spirit of the Anzacs.

Outside the sound of the Last Post reverberated as head students Joshua Bray and Jarnah Augustine lowered the NZ flag adjacent to a field of crosses representing those who died from South School in World War I.

After a minute’s silence Reveille sounded followed by the school singing the New Zealand National Anthem.

Principal Stephen Snell concluded the ceremony commending the student’s behaviour and reinforcing Major Dalgleish’s message about showing courage, commitment, comradeship and forgiveness in the life of the school.