April 25 marks ANZAC Day, a time when Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia come together to remember and honour those who served and sacrificed in times of war and conflict.
This year marked 110 years since the first ANZAC Day remembrance following the landing of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli in 1915.
At Hillcrest High School, we paused as a kura to reflect on the significance of ANZAC Day and the importance of remembrance in today’s world. Principal Christine Williams, alongside Head Students Poppy and Gemma, attended the ANZAC service at Memorial Park and laid a wreath on behalf of the school community as a gesture of respect and gratitude for those who served.
Our school also gathered for a special ANZAC assembly, where students reflected on the meaning of service, sacrifice, peace, and remembrance. During the assembly, Christine Williams shared the powerful poem In Flanders Fields, while the Ode of Remembrance reminded us:
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
Head Students Devlin, James, Gemma, and Poppy each shared thoughtful reflections on why ANZAC Day continues to matter today.
Devlin spoke about the importance of remembering not only the events of the past, but the people behind them — ordinary young people with hopes, dreams, and futures. Referencing the whakataukī, “Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua” — “I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past” — he reminded students that remembrance helps guide us forward wisely. He encouraged us to honour the ANZAC spirit not through conflict, but through empathy, understanding, and a commitment to peace.
James shared the story of Pirimi Pererika Tāhiwi, a teacher, rugby player, and member of the Māori All Blacks who served with the Māori Contingent at Gallipoli. Through Pirimi’s story, students were reminded that ANZAC Day is not about statistics or battles alone, but about the individual lives behind the names, people who were deeply connected to their whānau, communities, and futures before war changed their lives forever.
Gemma reflected on the courage, teamwork, and unity shown by the ANZAC soldiers, many of whom were not much older than today’s students. She reminded the assembly that ANZAC Day is not about glorifying war, but about recognising sacrifice and carrying forward the values of respect, inclusion, service, and kindness in our everyday lives. Her message concluded with the words:
Kia maumahara tātou, kia kaha tātou ki te hanga i tētahi ao pai ake.
(Let us remember, and be strong in building a better world.)
Poppy focused on the value of manaakitanga and the way it continues to shape New Zealand’s identity today. She spoke about how soldiers relied on one another through kindness, generosity, respect, and hospitality during some of the darkest moments of war. From sharing scarce supplies to supporting wounded comrades, these acts reflected the spirit of manaakitanga that remains central to our communities today. Poppy challenged students to carry those same values into everyday life, whether through supporting friends, helping others, or showing kindness in small but meaningful ways. She reminded us that when we say “Lest we forget”, we are not simply repeating words, but making a promise to continue living out the values shown by those who served before us.
As a school community, ANZAC Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today because of those who came before us. Through remembrance, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of past generations while recommitting ourselves to building a peaceful, respectful, and connected future.
Lest we forget — kei wareware tātou.
