A solemn and powerful Anzac service at Otago Boys’ High School yesterday saw 36 year 10 students stand in for the 36 old boys who never returned from Gallipoli. The moving ceremony aimed to bring home the personal cost of war for a new generation, connecting them directly with the school's long history of service and sacrifice.
Each of the 36 students was chosen to represent a specific former pupil who died in the fateful 1915 campaign. As the names of the fallen were read aloud in the school auditorium, their young representatives stood, a powerful visual symbol of the empty spaces left behind in classrooms and families more than a century ago.
For their classmates, the act was a stark reminder of how war can suddenly and irrevocably impact a group of friends. The service was designed to make the abstract numbers of history feel personal and immediate.
A connection to a solemn past
The school’s deputy rector and Anzac service co-ordinator, Richard Harvey, said the personal research each student undertook was crucial to the experience. By learning about the lives of the young men they were representing, the students gained a deeper understanding of the individual tragedies behind the historical event. This method of education transforms history from a dry subject into a lived reality, forging a tangible link between today's students and the alumni who walked the same halls before them.
It was a big honour for the 36 year 10 boys chosen to represent the old boys in their annual service. Part of it is, they have to research the particular person they are representing, and I think that brings it to life a little bit for them. And during the service, when the old boys’ names are read, the [representing year 10 student] stands up, and that symbolism, I think, really shows the boys that it was a real thing all those years ago for their friends. that people lost their friends and brothers and family members. It was a solemn occasion. quite poignant.
The service’s poignancy was underscored by the weather. As students and staff filed out of the auditorium for the next part of the commemoration, a fitting rain began to fall. Mr Harvey noted that one student commented on the symbolism of the moment, reflecting the sombre mood of the occasion. The ceremony continued with the 36 student representatives placing 36 white crosses on the school’s front lawn, a temporary memorial to the Gallipoli fallen.
Wreaths were also laid at the school’s front gate, which itself stands as a permanent memorial. The arched stone entrance was unveiled in 1923 to mark the school’s Diamond Jubilee and to commemorate all former pupils who fought and died in World War 1. The service concluded with the school bell tolling 36 times, one for each life lost at Gallipoli. "And then the sun came out afterwards, which is quite fitting," Mr Harvey said.
The importance of Anzac remembrance
Anzac Day, observed annually on 25 April, is one of New Zealand’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War at Gallipoli, Turkey. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the soldiers in those forces becoming known as Anzacs. According to the New Zealand Army, while the Gallipoli campaign was a military failure, the actions of New Zealand soldiers, and the immense losses they suffered, left a powerful legacy that has shaped the national identity.
For communities across Dunedin and the wider Otago region, Anzac Day remains a deeply significant event. It has evolved to commemorate all New Zealanders who have served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. School services like the one at Otago Boys’ High School play a vital role in passing the torch of remembrance to younger generations, ensuring the sacrifices made are not forgotten. These commemorations provide an important counter-narrative to the boisterous student culture sometimes associated with life in Dunedin, fostering a deeper sense of history and community responsibility.
More than just a history lesson
By having students actively participate in the memorial service, Otago Boys' High School is engaging in a powerful form of education. Rather than simply reading about the Gallipoli campaign in a textbook, the students are given a personal stake in the story. This immersive approach helps to cultivate empathy and a more nuanced understanding of the profound impact of war. In a related commemoration, Art of Remembrance returns to honour veterans with music and stories.
The ceremony stands as a model for how educational institutions can bridge the gap between past and present. It is through such thoughtful and engaging initiatives that the Anzac legacy remains relevant to contemporary youth. The school’s commitment to this tradition reflects a broader understanding of education, one that encompasses civic duty, historical consciousness, and community connection. This aligns with wider efforts in the city, such as the University of Otago seeking public input for its campus master plan, which demonstrate a commitment to community and place.
The annual service ensures that the memory of the 36 boys who left the school for the shores of Gallipoli and never returned is not just preserved, but actively honoured. It serves as a yearly promise that their sacrifice will continue to be remembered within the very grounds they once called their own.
