By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on November 8, 2018
SCHOOL students from across the Great Southern are congregating in Albany’s city centre this morning for a combined schools commemoration to mark 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.
The service is one of many being held in Albany over the next four days in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.
It also winds up school involvement with Anzac Albany celebrations, which began in 2014 and 2015 to commemorate 100 years since the commencement of WWI and the Gallipoli landing.
Flinders Park Primary year six students Merrick Watts, Maggie Staude and Savannah Coleman-Combes are three of more than 100 from their school attending the service and said they all felt honoured and proud to be part of it.
“It feels good to be part of Armistice because all of these people fought for us, which is pretty important,” Merrick said.
“This is my first ever service so I’m really excited and really grateful that the soldiers fought for us,” Savannah added.
“It’s a great privilege,” Maggie said.
Principal Richard Bushell said the event gives students the opportunity to reflect on how peace is key in the Australian way of life.
“It’s important to help the younger generations understand the narrative,” he said.
“And for them to realise people gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”
The Armistice school event, which will include 26 schools from the Great Southern, will begin with a parade on York Street at 10am before the students assemble in the Anzac Peace Park for the 10.30am service.
During the service, 100 students will uncover the stories behind the names on the war memorial, and hold the names and photos of each soldier in a cross formation.
