As we take a moment this ANZAC Day to remember the Australian and New Zealand men and women who lost their lives fighting for our country, students from St Michael’s aren’t forgetting about those who are currently serving abroad.
Students were encouraged to bring in items to contribute to the boxes, with Year 6 leaders in charge of putting them together with the help of their Kindergarten buddies.
The packages were filled with goodies, including some essential items such as shower gel, shaving cream, soap and deodorant.
Students also popped in plenty of treats including Tim Tams, lollies, tins of Milo, biscuits and various non-perishable foods. The ANZACs will also have plenty to do during their down time with the inclusion of magazines, DVDs and puzzle books.
Each box also contained a Matilda Poppy for the service men and women to wear on ANZAC Day and some students wrote letters to provide words of support and encouragement.
Packaged up in postage boxes donated by the school's Parents and Friends Association, the care packages were sent off to special mailing addresses that have been set up for the public to send items to those currently operating overseas.
As well as learning all about ANZAC history in class, students took part in a number of other activities to give them a further appreciation of the ANZAC tradition.
Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 took part in a colouring competition, while students in Years 3 to 6 have entered a school pottery competition. With a little bit of help from local ex-servicemen’s clubs, students wrote about what ANZAC Day means to them in conjunction with the competition’s theme of ‘Remembrance’.
“The preparation of the care packages reminded our students of the school’s rule to be respectful and Jesus’ teaching to ‘treat others the way you would like to be treated,'” said Principal Helen Bourne.
“I believe this is a wonderful way for our students to remember and value the work of our servicemen and women.
“It also shows these servicemen and women that we in Australia appreciate what they are doing to help make our world a better and safer place.”