Lest We Forget

ANZAC Day sees us pause throughout this land to remember those who put the lives of others before their own. We honour the men and women who served, those who returned bearing lifelong scars, and especially those who gave their lives so that others might live in freedom and safety. Their sacrifice was not symbolic; it was costly, personal, and motivated duty and care for others.

As a Christian school, ANZAC Day also provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on sacrifice through the lens of the Bible. The Christian Bible reminds us that there is no greater love than choosing to give up one’s life for others (John 15:13). This truth hits us as we remember those who ran towards deadly danger so others would be protected from it. Courage and selflessness are attributes we all respect.

At the heart of the Christian faith is an even greater act of vicarious sacrifice. Jesus Christ willingly gave up His life for the sake of others to restore hearts, reconcile humanity with God, and offer eternal hope. His death on the cross was not accidental or forced, but a deliberate act of love. In laying down His life, Jesus bore the cost so that others might experience forgiveness, freedom, and new life (Romans 5:8).

While the sacrifice of soldiers and the sacrifice of Christ are not the same, they are meaningfully connected. Both point to the profound truth that love is most clearly revealed through self‑giving. ANZAC Day reminds us that peace and freedom come at a price. The message of the gospel reminds us that grace, forgiveness, and salvation were purchased at great cost.

For our students, this connection is deeply formative. As we remember the ANZACs, we are not only teaching history; we are shaping character. We encourage students to see that a meaningful life is not defined by self‑interest, but by service to others. Whether in the classroom, the playground, the family, or the wider community, the call to put others before ourselves remains relevant today.

On this ANZAC Day, we honour the fallen with gratitude and humility. And as a Christian community, we also lift our eyes to our example of sacrificial love, Jesus Christ.