ANZAC Day commemorations

I want to thank all families who supported the 140 students who represented Dominic College on ANZAC Day during the term break.

It means a lot to us that so many students and staff took the time to break their vacation, dress in their formal uniform and gather with other students and staff to honour those who have both served and sacrificed for our nation.

In the break, I was in Melbourne and I visited the Shrine of Remembrance. One of the entrances is designed to be shaped like the trenches of the First World War. This is the quote in the wall:

I found this to be a rich definition of what ANZAC is and means and I hope that through their studies about our past students will come to deeply understand this definition – that it will resonate with them.

A significant number of our College families are deeply connected to our national defence forces both past and present. We are very proud of these connections either through parents, grandparents, Old Scholars or our staff members’ honourable service to the nation.

This week as we marked ANZAC Day as a College, we reminded our students that our ANZAC rituals are not about glorifying war but are about mourning the terrible human loss of war and our personal and national commitment to peace. Our gathering today honours courage, endurance, survival, love of country and above all peace.

Ms Beth Gilligan - Dominic College Principal

This year on 25 April, students from Dominic College again participated in ANZAC Day services across the south of the state, at Hobart, Lenah Valley, Glenorchy, New Norfolk and Pontville.

Over 140 students came in full school uniform during their school holidays to participate in marches and services, with each group laying a wreath to commemorate the service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. This was a fantastic experience for our students to have the chance to be directly involved in such a significant community event.

As the years move on, it is important that as Australians we never forget the sacrifice that our soldiers, sailors, airmen, nurses and volunteers gave towards the future of our country.

As a young vibrant section of the community we have an obligation to provide a link between generations and ensure this sacred day in the Australian calendar is always honoured appropriately. We are extremely proud of every student who participated.

You can see photos from the New Norfolk ceremony here: New Norfolk. Other community gatherings will be added when photos are available.

Mr Andrew Pritchard - Director of Pastoral Care K-10

On Tuesday 1 May, Prep–Year 10 students and staff observed and commemorated ANZAC Day.

While large numbers of students and staff were present at numerous services on April 25, it was important for us to come together as a community to acknowledge and pay respects to the countless Australian and New Zealand service men and women of the past 100 years.

Since 2015 we have focused our reflections on the hundred year anniversary of the Great War, and this year in particular on the armistice that brought an end to the fighting in Europe on 11 November 1918.

College Captains Maggie Baker and Will Parkinson, spoke of the relief that the armistice brought to families back home, but also of the sacrifices and hardships of those left to rebuild communities.

Our service was enhanced this year by the wonderful musical contributions of the concert band and the Year 3 / 4 choir.

We are also especially grateful to the Tasmanian Army Band for their support and the presence of their bugler who performed the Last Post and the Rouse.

You can see photos from our assembly here: ANZAC Assembly .

Mr Benjamin Fulton - Head of Humanities 7-10