ANZAC Day 2024

Our annual ANZAC Chapel Service, held in the Centennial Chapel, was well attended by our community and supported by the Year 12 students. Board Chair, Felicity Odlin, President of the Old Collegians, Sam Crosbie (OC 2009) and Ladies Circle, President Pat Hopping attended the service and played important roles in the reading of the Roll of Honour and processing the Wreaths of Remembrance to the Memorial Enclave.

Rector, Christine Leighton gave a recorded video address, as she was in Auckland attending the Saint Kentigern’s ANZAC Service with our 1st XV team during the Presbyterian Schools Rugby Quadrangular Tournament. Readings and prayers were conducted by Deputy Head Prefect Carter Rhodes, Head Prefect Meg Simpson, and Principal of the Preparatory School Jonathan Bierwirth. Jack Flanagan (Year 13) gave a moving performance, singing The White Cliffs of Dover. The Year 13 address was given by our top History student, Liam Hackston, who gave some thoughtful insights into the depravity of war and the young men who lost their lives. While heroes in Liam’s mind, he questioned whether New Zealanders should ever have been conscripted to fight wars on the other side of the world. He certainly gave our listeners plenty to think about.

During the commemoration, Yuxin (Alice) Chen (Year 10) performed The Last Post and Reveille brilliantly and was well supported by piper Cooper Gallagher (Year 12) who concluded the commemoration with a lament. Thank you to Sea-am Thompson (Year 13) for playing the organ and accompanying Jack Flanagan’s performance, with College Chaplain, Rev. Paul Morrow conducting the service proceedings.