Ka maumahara tonu taatou ki a raatou, we will remember them.

There was a special representation of St Paul's students at the 25 April 2023 ANZAC Day Civic Ceremony in Hamilton. 

Corporal Austen Plimmer (Year 12) from the ATC Squadron marched the cadets over the bridge and then read For the Fallen in Te Reo. He was chosen for this important task after speaking at the Armistice Day commemoration in the Hamilton City Council Chambers last November. Peer Rahman (Year 9) was also in attendance in the Skyhawks Section.

Head students Matthew Chanwai, Lucy O'Meeghan and Deputy Head Boy Jackson Mackwood with teacher Mr Hardman also attended the ceremony and placed a wreath at Memorial Park to commemorate those who fell on 25 of April 1915 and all those who fought and died in the wars. The service was led by Lieutenant Colonel Olly Te Ua, father of St Paul's Collegians Hetekia (2018 - 2022), Hinehau (2013 - 2015) and Taotahi (2014 - 2018).

The students attended a moving ANZAC Chapel Service where teacher Mr Bruce Rawson gave a moving speech about his grandfather who volunteered to serve in WWI and was part of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles group of 1680 men and horses who went to Gallipoli (view here). Sam Kansal (Year 12) respectfully played The Last Post (view here). 

The Ode of Remembrance

E kore rātou e kaumātuatia
Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei
E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore
Ahakoa pehea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā
I te hekenga atu o te rā
Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou

Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them

We will remember them