Commemorating ANZAC Day: Personal Reflections And Historical Significance.pdf

Key Points:

1. ANZAC Day Dawn Service:
- Held at the college's Anzac Memorial Garden, led by Humanities teacher Mr Doug Cresswell.
- Emphasized the diverse meanings of ANZAC for different people.
- Featured personal anecdotes from Mr Cresswell about his experiences and his son's deployment.
- Challenged students to consider what they're doing with the legacy of those who fought for their tomorrow.

2. Young Women's Breakfast:
- Attended by Year 13 students Brooke, Niamh, and Molly.
- Organized by YWCA with their "This Is Me" campaign, featuring international athletes like Sarah Cowely Ross, Eimer Richardson, and Kirsten Fisher-Marsters.
- Highlighted the importance of sport in empowering women, connecting them to their cultures, and fostering leadership skills.

3. PISA Assessment and Literacy/Numeracy Focus:
- Discussed the decline of New Zealand's performance in PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) tests over the years.
- Emphasized the critical role of reading, writing, and arithmetic (the three R’s) in achieving success in other subjects and daily life.
- Mentioned upcoming external assessments for Year 11 students to achieve NCEA Levels 1, 2, or 3.

4. Teacher Professional Development:
- A recent focus on improving literacy and numeracy skills among HPC students through school-wide strategies and teacher practices.

5. Community Engagement:
- Praised the college for organizing a dawn service to commemorate Anzac Day, fostering community respect and remembrance.
- Noted the recurring themes in history despite efforts to improve lives in the 21st century.