Authentic Historical Learning – Remembrance Day 

Remembrance Day provides an opportunity for students to actively participate, empathise and reflect on our shared community values and understand the significance of history in shaping our national identity. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the guns fell silent and the Great War was finally over. Today in Australia Armistice Day is called Remembrance Day. The Flinders poppy was the first wildflower to bloom in the Western Front and has come to symbolise hope and regrowth after the devastation of war. History students from Years 7 and 10 designed and created a Remembrance Day Commemoration through an installation of recyclable paper poppies on St Dominic’s Plot. The poppies are symbols to honour the memory of those who have been impacted by wars and express gratitude to the soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Remembrance Day is an authentic learning moment to educate and inspire future generations about the importance of cherishing peace.
Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student reflections

I feel that planting poppies was a great experience for our class. Ms Zagora gave an explanation of how poppies originated after World War I and how they came to represent the soldiers’ blood lost in that conflict. It is my goal that as students pass by the field of poppies at recess and lunch they will reflect on those who gave their lives in defence of our nation. 
Alessia Mastroianni
Year 7 History

Planting the poppies on Dom’s plot gave me a deeper understanding of Remembrance Day. I learned about the significance of poppies and what they represent to the people who have fought in numerous battles in Europe during World War One. As I planted the poppies I felt grateful for all the people who had fought for us.
Lourdes Toomeh
Year 7 History

Ms Zagora explained what Remembrance Day meant and that made planting the poppies onto Dom’s Plot felt really nice that we were paying homage to the fallen soldiers from WW1. It was important to do this so that we will always remember. 
Natalia Gardiner
Year 7 History

As red poppies fill Dom’s plot their meaning permeates the air. The red poppies symbolise the Day of Remembrance, the day on which World War 1 ended and the weary and injured soldiers proclaimed peace and safety to all those they fought for. On November the 11th at 11 o’clock we stand in silence remembering the fallen soldiers of both world wars and acknowledging the fallen and lost that sacrificed their lives. 
Ava Raiti
Year 10 History Elective

Remembrance Day is a time to reflect upon the service and sacrifices of our soldiers who have fought so valiantly and given their lives to keep peace and build a future for our nations. To show our respect, we were invited to place a red poppy on St Dominic’s plot to show our support, as it was one of the first flowers to bloom on the battlefields in France, and symbolises the blood of the fallen soldiers. 
Emily Gilmore
Year 10 History Elective