School backflips on Anzac service opt out for students

A NSW principal has backflipped on an earlier decision to allow students to opt out of the Anzac Day service after the move was strongly criticised by parents and veterans.

In an email to families on Wednesday, Sherwood Ridge Primary School principal Jody Sullivan said it was now the school’s expectation that “all students” attend its special Anzac Day service on April 10.

It comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed on Tuesday that the move was labelled as an “insult” to families of veterans.

“The message sent out last month was seen as disrespectful by some members of the broader community and has detracted from our longstanding tradition of acknowledging and respecting Anzac Day in our school,” Ms Sullivan said.

“I want to apologise for this,” she added.

Ms Sullivan told parents last week they could let teachers know if they didn’t want their children to attend to accommodate a small number of students whose families did not want them to “commemorate war” due to their religious beliefs.

SCHOOL PERMITS ANZAC DAY OPT OUT
A NSW primary school’s decision to let students skip its Anzac* Day commemoration* has upset multiple groups, with parents, veterans and politicians saying the move disrespects Australia’s military history.

Parents received an email last week from Sherwood Ridge Primary School principal Jody Sullivan informing them they could ask for their child to sit out the Anzac service on April 10.

The event was scheduled early due to Anzac Day on April 25 falling inside NSW school holidays.

The decision was made after a small group of parents at the Hills District school requested their children be exempt* from the commemoration, a request believed to be related to the group’s religious faith.

However, the school expanded the opt-out option to all families, a move critics have said was unnecessary and disrespectful.

In a statement on Wednesday morning, Education Minister and Deputy Premier Prue Car said all schools were expected to “respect (the) tradition” of Anzac Day.

“Anzac Day is a day to honour our veterans and pay our respects to servicemen and women, past and present,” she said.

“Schools should respect this tradition as well … The Education Secretary has made it clear that he expects all our schools to commemorate Anzac Day, recognising the brave men and women who fought for the freedoms we all enjoy.”

Veterans and parents criticised the school’s handling of the issue, arguing Anzac Day was a fundamental* part of Australian history that all students should learn about.

Former Veterans Affairs Minister David Elliott said the decision left him “speechless” and was an insult to the families of Australia’s fallen soldiers.

“They can’t opt out of their mourning*, so I don’t know why anyone would want to opt out of this,” he said.

Former Commando and RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge said Anzac Day was a solemn* occasion that should be respected.

“It’s important to understand that Anzac Day is not a celebration of war; in fact, Anzac Day commemorates the horrors of war and ensures the sacrifices of those who served and died are never forgotten,” Mr Bainbridge said.

Parents took to social media to voice their frustration.

“To acknowledge what our forefathers* fought for, to ensure we’re a country that remains free, is to be respected,” one mother said.

“Anzac Day is part of the Australian history curriculum. It’s not glorifying war; it’s teaching students to honour those who fought for our and their freedom,” another said.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said that schools were expected to hold Anzac ceremonies and ensure students learned about the significance of the day as part of their education.

“Anzac Day does not glorify war; rather, it is a poignant* time of remembrance to reflect upon the sacrifice our servicemen and women have made to ensure our freedom,” Mr Dizdar said.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• Anzac: ANZAC is an acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
• exempt: excuse someone or something from a duty, to free or release certain people from a requirement to which others are subject
• commemoration: something done to officially remember and pay respect to a great person or event
• fundamental: forming the foundation, something very basic and essential, of central importance
• mourning: the period of great sadness experienced when a loved one dies
• solemn: very serious, sincere and purposeful
• forefathers: ancestors, forebears, those who came before
• poignant: something affecting or very moving, causing or having strong feelings of sadness

EXTRA READING

Why we mark Anzac Day each year

Anzac diary sheds new light on WWI

Daughter finds parents’ war letters

QUICK QUIZ

1. What is believed to be the reason why some parents at the school wanted an exemption for their children?
2. Education Minister and Deputy Premier Prue Car said in a statement that all schools were expected to do what?
3. Former Veterans Affairs Minister David Elliott said extending the option to skip the school service was an insult to which group?
4. NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said that schools were expected to hold Anzac ceremonies for what reason?
5. What does Anzac Day commemorate and when is it held it each year?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. When and why?
Do you know the history of Anzac Day? Use your research skills to find out when and why Australians started commemorating this day. Use the info that you have found to create a poster that will help other kids understand the history of this day.

Time: allow at least 60 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, History

2. Extension
Does remembering the people who fought or served in wars for Australia make you someone who supports war and violence? Write a detailed answer to this question.

Time: allow at least 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, History, Personal and Social Capability

VCOP ACTIVITY
Adjectives
An adjective is a describing word. They are often found describing a noun. Start by looking at the words before the nouns.

Search for all the adjectives you can find in the article.

Did you find any repeat adjectives or are they all different?

Extension:
Pick three of your favourite adjectives from the text and put them in your own sentences to show other ways to use them.

Have you used any in your writing?