It was important for us that the students from Holy Name School celebrated Anzac Day this year as is it always a significant day on our school calendar and we are striving to preserve our sense of community, tradition and belonging during the Covid19 pandemic whilst many of our students are learning from home. 

We always hope that our students are able to understand and appreciate the extent of Australia's wartime history and the impact it has had on many generations of Australian families, often including their own family. Most importantly we try and nurture a sense of gratitude and respect for our servicemen and women, praying particularly for those who have given their lives in active service.

We remember the courage, endurance and self-sacrifice of the fallen through prayer and traditions and acknowledge those who gave their lives so that we may live in peace and freedom. 

In the days leading up to Anzac Day this year, our staff and school student leaders began sharing instructional videos on our school social media site, showing our community ways to craft red poppies, paint beautiful Anzac themed artworks and bake delicious Anzac biscuits. 

On the day itself it was apparent very quickly that the school community was immersed and felt connected in commemorations as we began to be flooded with photos of Holy Name families and staff standing at their driveway at dawn, some students even playing the Last Post for the neighbours. Families and staff members lit candles, said quiet prayers and stood together in the spirit of the Anzacs at dawn. Other families encouraged their children to participate in the  #chalkyourwalk movement, creating beautiful Anzac Day drawings on the footpath outside their home. Our two school captains Jack Thacker and Lylah Darcy accompanied Principal Brooke Stephens and Parish Priest Greg Barker to the Tuncurry War Memorial in Lone Pine Park to lay an Anzac wreath. Usually a large contingent of our school community would participate in the Forster/Tuncurry community march.