Anzac Commemoration Services

Santa Sabina College was invited to attend the Burwood Anzac Day Commemoration Dawn Service to lay a wreath at the War Memorial Arch, known as Victory Arch, in Burwood Park as a sign of respect for the fallen Anzac soldiers from our local community. It was confronting to find out that many of the family names listed were those of brothers who died at war. The Year 12 Student Leadership Team represented Santa Sabina College at this Anzac Day Dawn Service with high levels of empathy, grace and respect.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student Reflection

This service was significant as it is the 100-year anniversary of the Anzac War Memorial – Victory Arch in Burwood Park. The service gave us the chance to reflect on the meaning of Anzac Day as well as commemorate all soldiers who risked their lives fighting for our country, and also pay our respects and thanks to all of the people who currently represent our country in the Armed Forces. At the invitation of Burwood Council we laid a wreath on behalf of the College, showing our collective respect for all soldiers, past and present. Thank you to Ms Kempers and Ms Zagora who accompanied the Student Leadership Team to the service.

Ruby Bron
College Captain
Year 12

The College Prefects had the privilege to reflect on the service soldiers, past and present, make for this country. It was truly humbling seeing the veterans and service people at the ceremony who make daily sacrifices for us on the frontlines and here in Australia. We laid a wreath to pay our respects to the fallen soldiers and sung the New Zealand and Australian national anthem to honour all Anzac soldiers. 

Olivia Nakhle
Social Justice Prefect
Year 12

Santa Sabina College Commemoration Service

The purpose of an Anzac Day Commemoration Service is not to glorify war but rather to come together in an act of remembrance of those who have given all for their country and for others. Anzac Day is a significant national day and the College community was led by students studying IB History. The formal Commemoration Service was observed by our community through the College Assembly and included the Ode led by Molly Hoogland, The Last Post, one minute of silence for the fallen and Rouse played by Cordelia Highfield. As an inter-campus collaborative learning initiative, Year 11 IB History students worked with students from Gioia House to develop war poetry for an Anzac War Poetry Community Competition. Isla Choi’s poem was voted as outstanding and was included by Year 11 into the College commemoration. The Anzac Day Commemoration Service was reflective and a very big congratulations to all the History students who contributed to designing the commemoration.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student reflection of inter-campus collaborative learning

Working with Gioia House students on their Anzac War poetry competition submissions was a great activity to explore the ways in which we can commemorate the service of men and women of Australia. Using our historical knowledge as senior History students, we talked with and gave advice to the Gioia House students. We all thought their poems were very impressive and reflected the spirit of the Anzacs effectively, and we incorporated Isla’s into our Senior Anzac Commemoration Assembly.

Molly Hoogland
Year 11

This year Anzac Day commemorates the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. As a class we decided it was important to include a video reflection from a former Australian nurse who shared with the school her experiences and her display of the Anzac spirit, determination and resilience. International conflict and aggressive foreign policy are prominent in the Year 11 IB History course. Our historical studies helped us to understand the importance of remembrance without the glorification of war. The commemoration of Anzac Day is an act of remembrance of those Anzac soldiers who have lost their lives during the over 100 years of involvement in international conflict. We included a procession of integral Anzac artefacts, such as Rosemary, the Australian Flag, the slouch hat, the symbolic Poppy. It was an honour as a class to arrange the Anzac commemoration service for 2023.

Isabel Aunedi
Year 11