This week I have been very proud of the involvement of our students, staff and families in the various ANZAC Day activities the school has participated in, both locally and in France. 

On Wednesday we held our ANZAC Day Prayer Service at school. Special thanks to our guest speaker Mr Matthew Patterson, our ITAD Teacher in Secondary. Mr Patterson served in the Australian Army for 13 years and served in Afghanistan in 2012. He shared his insights and emotions around the meaning of ANZAC and service to our nation. We were also fortunate to have Mr Martin Corbett, President of the Stanthorpe RSL Sub Branch, and Councillor Sarah Deane, representing the Southern Downs Regional Council, as our guests. During the service, I was honoured to present a special gift on behalf of myself and the school to the Stanthorpe RSL Sub Branch to thank them for their support of the school, veterans and the community. The gift is a limited-edition framed print of an official portrait of General Sir John Monash GCMG KCB VD, Australia's greatest leader in World War One. The original of the portrait hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.  

On ANZAC Day we took part in services in Stanthorpe, Tenterfield and Wallangarra and the St Joseph’s Parish ANZAC Day Mass. The highlight for many was the Stanthorpe parade. Well done to our senior students for their contribution to key roles on the day (wreath laying, banner carrying, costume wearing) and to all students who attended. School Captain, Brigid O’Dea, did a fine job of reading the resolution during the Weerona Park service. 

Our students and staff on the school's International Study Tour attended the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial located within the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery in France. School Captain, Annaliese McCosker, and House Captain, Patrick Brown, proudly laid a wreath on behalf of the school.  

The day before, on 24 April, in what was an incredible honour, our International Study Tour students and staff participated in the Opening Ceremony of the French-Australian Bridge of Friendship in Amiens, France. As a poignant gesture, the group united in singing the French National Anthem, symbolising the bond between our two nations. The proximity of our school to Amiens, Australia, and the profound significance of World War One in our region added a special resonance to this occasion. 

We are thankful for all servicemen and servicewomen who have sacrificed so much for our nation. Lest We Forget. 

God Bless