The Landing at Anzac, April 25, 1915 by Charles Dixon.

Anzac Day was First Marked in The day has gone through many changes since then. The ceremonies that are held at war memorials up and down New Zealand, or in places overseas where New Zealanders gather are rich in tradition and ritual befitting a military funeral.

The Red Poppy A symbol of war remembrance the world over. People in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died in war or who still serve. In many countries, the poppy is worn around Armistice Day (11 November), but in New Zealand it is around Anzac Day, 25 April.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scare heard amid the guns below. (from ‘In Flanders Fields’, John McCrae, )

As part of our Poetic Writing we studied couplets and quatrains. We looked at some poems from the war years and wrote our own poems.

Wiremu Wrote... The sky wore grey A rainy day The wind blew Right on through The leaves on the tree ‘Til they were free.

5Ws and an H The Five Ws: Who… knows a story about their grandfathers or great uncles who went to war? What …can you do to remember the soldiers? Where…did the women come from that are in the photos? When…did women start being soldiers in a war? Why…did the generals let women go to war? and the How…did families manage without the fathers and uncles?

What do you Think? We have a service medal given to our Great Grandad Edgar for fighting in North Africa and Turkey. B.Goodgame

What Do You Think? Room One decided to make our own projects to help us commemorate their lives. Some of us decided to make posters others decided to make a cross as our symbol of respect.

What Do You Think? I found out that New Zealand and Australia celebrate ANZAC Day together. They celebrate because the men who died were citizens of our two countries. They have the red poppies to remember them. Priyanka. Verma.

What Do You Think? I made a polystyrene cross and decorated it with a red rose, leaves and twigs from my garden. Catarina. Owen.

What Do You Think? The women in the photos were the ‘WREN’s’. They were members of the Womens’ Royal Nursing Service. They were helping with the wounded from the fighting. Some of them were mothers of the soldiers fighting for their country.

What Do You Think? The women had to do more to keep the family together. They were helping with the farms and jobs that were usually done by men who had left for war. They wanted to do their bit for their country too. They were very proud of their country. Christian. Solomona.

What Do You Think? In the first world war women volunteered to help as nurses and those that could drive acted as drivers. Others made tea and rolled bandages and did what they could. In 1941 women joined the Auxilary Air Training Core to ferry planes from factories to airfields. In the Second World War they officially joined the armed forces as wireless operators, drivers, nursing, supplies. Air transport Auxilary Pat. Heinneman. (Oma)

What Do You Think? We created a Word Wall about Anzac Day