Whether through Anzac ceremonies at school, attending Anzac Day services during the school holidays or learning about the Anzacs at school, students from throughout the Diocese of Parramatta are proud to show their understanding and appreciation for the incredible service and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to serve Australia.
Featuring in a special video for Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), students expressed what Anzac Day means to them and the importance of young people and all Australians remembering and learning about the legacy of the Anzacs.
The students from Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek, Trinity Primary School Kemps Creek, Penola Catholic College Emu Plains and St Joseph’s Primary School Kingswood also featured in a special story for the Nine Network’s Today show which was shown as part of their live broadcast on Anzac Day.
Students from Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek, Trinity Primary School Kemps Creek, Penola Catholic College Emu Plains and St Joseph’s Primary School Kingswood with Nine Network’s Today journalist Lara Vella. Image: Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
Today journalist Lara Vella spoke to each of the students about relatives who served Australia and what Anzac Day means to them. The story also featured a special Anzac display at Emmaus created by Library Lead Sharon Ellery.
Among the group of students was Penola Catholic College Emu Plains Year 10 student Cordell Dean, a Navy cadet, who is proud of his and his family’s rich history of service in the Australian Defence Force.
Penola Catholic College Emu Plains Year 10 student Cordell Dean plays The Last Post during a school Anzac ceremony. Image: Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
During his time as a cadet, Cordell learnt to play The Last Post on the bugle and while he’s played it at cadets’ events before, he played it for the first time at a school event when Penola held a special Anzac ceremony at the end of Term 1.
Emmaus Catholic College student Juliet Black was proud to be involved in a special Anzac Day feature on ABC News with her great-grandfather Brian Hopkins who survived the HMAS Voyager II disaster in 1964. Brian was one of the last people to escape after two naval ships collided in Australia’s worst peacetime naval disaster in which 82 military personnel lost their lives.
Emmaus Catholic College student Juliet Black (left) with her great-grandfather Brian Hopkins. Image: Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
Students also contributed to a special video reciting The Ode, through which they highlighted their immense respect for those who lost their lives serving Australia and our sincere thanks to all servicemen and women.
With thanks to Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.
