Halswell Community ANZAC Service

Over the school holidays, the Head Students attended the Halswell Community ANZAC Day Service on Halswell Junction Road. Oaklands te kura o Ōwaka were one of the schools that proudly attended the service on behalf of schools in the surrounding Halswell area

It was a lovely service commemorating those who have fought on our behalf in war. All students found this to be a great experience, as all of them had never been personally involved in a service of that extent before. They all enjoyed the experience of laying a wreath for those that had died in war.

Here's what they had to say from their experience.

Isis McKenzie - These holidays I went to the Halswell ANZAC Memorial Service, on the 25th of April. I was given the chance, along with the other Head Students, to represent Oaklands and lay down a wreath. Though I go down to an ANZAC service every year, they're still so touching. It was so interesting listening to the stories that were told. It's amazing how many people go down each year to remember those who lay down their lives for our country. I always enjoy going down to an ANZAC service, whether I'm going down with my family or my Guide unit; it's consistently a different experience. It's fascinating the different things you can learn about the ANZACs, all of their stories are so different and the experiences they had when going to war.

I'm really glad that I was given the chance to represent my school, and I look forward to going to one next year.

Lily Wilson - Being Deputy Head Girl, I was given the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Halswell ANZAC Day Memorial Service. I was not the only head leader that attended this service, I had Isis the Head Girl and Zach the Deputy Head Boy too. At the Halswell Memorial, there is a wall with names of people that served our country at war and died, and that is how we remember them. This happens at 8:00am in the morning every year. Lots of community groups also lay their wreath including a few local schools. After this, we listen to special people talk and have a minute of silence. This is to think about our peoples that were at war for us. One of the last things we do is lay our poppies on the memorial. After the whole thing, I felt really happy that I attended this service and respected them. 

Zach Wallace - On the 25th of April the other Head Students and I got the opportunity to attend the ANZAC Day Ceremony at Halswell and lay a wreath. It was a great experience and very moving being able to lay a wreath and remember the soldiers that died defending and serving our country. At the service they played the New Zealand and the Australian National anthems and there was a moment of silence to remember all those who died fighting for what they believed in. Overall, it was a very moving experience and I was very grateful for being able to have such an opportunity.