Darwin High School awarded State Winner of 2016 Anzac Day Schools’ Awards

Darwin High School has a longstanding tradition of commemorating Anzac Day with an Anzac Day Assembly by its senior students. While the Assembly follows the traditional form of Anzac Observance, in an effort to educate students on lesser known aspects of the Anzac campaign, each Assembly has its own special focus. This year, the ceremony paid tribute to the Australian Flying Corps (AFC), telling the story of five Territory men, who saw service in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) and on the Western Front.

Pictured is Darwin High student Catafalque Party and Honour Guard at the Anzac Assembly

The entire Assembly was planned, researched and conducted by the Schools’ Year 12 students to an audience of 1600, including visiting schools, distinguished guests and local dignitaries. Year 10, 11 and 12 students in the Australian Army Cadets formed an armed catafalque party and an Honour Guard Flag Party was formed by students in the Australian Air Force Cadets. The Principal, Trevor Read, spoke of how the values exhibited by those pioneer airmen 100 years ago, are the same values embodied by Darwin High School today.

Pictured is Darwin High School Year 12 student and Anzac Assembly MC, Chris Bryett, being congratulated by Veteran Ivan Walsh.

Senior Students then presented their biographies of the five Territorians and three Darwin Public School boys, as candles were lit to honour the fifteen Territorians who lost their lives at Gallipoli. Wreaths were laid by representatives of the School’s three year levels and the Secondary Intensive English Unit.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed Anzac-themed refreshments prepared by Year 12 Food and Hospitality Students. The Year 10 History class assisted with traffic and parking and the entire event was captured by the Year 11 and 12 Photography and Video Students.

Darwin High School Principal, Trevor Read, said that 

This Award is fantastic recognition of the combined effort of all the staff and students’ involved and a great reflection of the School's pride for those who have served their country.