By Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Secondary School

On Tuesday at 11 am, Radford remembered those who had suffered and died in war with a wreath laying ceremony in the rose garden, and in our classrooms with one minute's silence. In both settings, students were reminded about the meaning behind Remembrance Day:

'As a mark of respect to all those who have suffered and died in war, Australians are encouraged to pause at 11 am to observe one minute’s silence as an act of remembrance.' – Australian War Memorial.

All students in Years 7 to 12 were reminded to consider the human cost of war:

'There is such a great space of water between us,' wrote a bereaved Australian mother in 1921 of her son's distant grave. Australia's losses in World War I were staggering. Around 416,800 Australians enlisted. At nearly 65%, Australian casualties were the highest of any nation. Some 61,500 died, and many more suffered for their service.

Naval and Airforce cadets in Years 9 and 10 contributed to setting the solemn tone of our ceremony in the rose garden, lowering and raising the flags at the appropriate moments and also laying the wreath. Thanks go to Samai (Year 10), Charles (Year 10), Thenuki (Year 10), Josh (Year 9), Victor (Year 9) and Michael (Year 9) for their assistance.