STUDENTS at St Peter’s College have taken part in several activities this week to honour the Anzac tradition.
As part of their history curriculum, year 9 and 10 students at the Cranbourne school have been studying the Anzac spirit – what formed it and where it is today.
As part of Anzac commemorations this week, the school has a display Army photos and uniform pieces in the Learning Centre.
This will be enhanced by book readings to students of war related literature pieces during lunch break.
Students have also been selling Anzac biscuits and Anzac Appeal badges at lunchtime to raise funds for the Cranbourne RSL.
On Tuesday, all year 9 and 10 students were involved in an initiative to educate them further about the Anzac tradition but watching an interactive play – Anzac G’Day – by education theatre company Class Act.
St Peter’s marketing officer April Hampson said Class Act plays use the language of the schoolyard to bring serious issues to life, making them easily understandable to everyone.
“In their play, a West Australian soldier enlists in the army in 1915 as an honourable duty,” she said.
“Through his young eyes we learnt about friendships and reasons why over 8000 Australian soldiers lost their lives.
“A young school student of today follows the soldier’s path and questions changing attitudes to war, both historically and in the light of current conflicts.
“Students watching the play were encouraged to discuss finding alternatives to war and whether we always have a choice.
“The play incorporated the Gallipoli campaign, the Spirit of Anzac, Simpson and his donkey, Australian involvement in other wars, the role of Australian peace keeping forces and our relationship with the world’s superpowers and how we react when the balance of power alters.”
Students have also been encouraged to enter a piece into Star News Group’s Sands of Gallipoli Keeping the Spirit Alive Competition.
The college’s student leaders and staff also attended the Anzac Day service in Cranbourne this morning to lay a wreath.
