Late last term as a prelude to ANZAC day, the 5/6 class thought about the question “Why do we use symbols and ceremonies?”.  Using the fantastic text, One Minute's Silence, the students examined how history can be viewed from different perspectives.

Here are some of the student’s responses after working with this text.

“It doesn’t matter if you are Turkish or Australian you will still get hit the same by the bullet.”

“They are fighting and doing their all.”  

“Happy that it all ended but sad for all the lives lost. “

“Grateful"

We discussed the indigenous experiences of soldiers in World War I. Alfred’s War is a magnificent text that enabled our class to see the unfairness of how Aboriginal soldiers were treated when they returned from the front after fighting shoulder to shoulder with their compatriots. We wrote sentences that explored our emotional responses to this thought-provoking text.

When Alfred was forgotten, I felt terrible. (Zavier)

When Alfred had holes in the soles of his shoes, I felt sad. (Kadeijah)

When Alfred curled up into a ball and slept in the shadows, I felt bad for him. (Marcus)

When Alfred walked from town to town looking for work, I felt angry because no-one would help him. (Lilly)

If you are in the entrance way at the office, please enjoy the stained-glass silhouettes we created with the symbols of remembrance, including the poppy, Australian soldiers in their slouch hats and the rising sun. They look especially effective when the afternoon sun shines through!

We also talked about how history is being created at this very moment and how new symbols constantly develop. We made some Ukrainian cockerels with chalk pastels – Will this symbol endure as a symbol of defiance and solidarity? Only time will tell.