ANZAC DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16202, 12 April 1916, Page 9

ANZAC DAY.

CELEBRATIONS IN SCHOOLS

CHILDREN'S KEEN INTEREST.

The matter of the adequate celebration of Anzac Day is at present being considered by all city and suburban school authorities. The importance of the day and what it means 10 New Zealand is emphasised in a circular letter which has been issued by the Auckland Education Board to all school committees and head teachers. The letter points out that the landing of New Zealand troops at Gallipot marks the Dominion's real advent into iha great v.ur, it being the first sericus military operation in ".'hick New Zealanders were engaged. Their wonderful achievement in the Dardarelles landing will rank with the finest in British history, uid as the lives of so a any brave men were lost, it is most desirable that the importance and solemnity of that great day, April 25, should be brought prominently before the children. The children themselves are declared by their headmasters to be fully awaro of what the day actually means to their country, and all are showing keenest interest in the matter. So many of them have lost brothers or other relatives that the personal clement enters most strongly into their attitude, this feeling being shared by girls and boys alike. " They literally glow with pride when wo talk about the great day," said the headmaster of one large suburban school. "There is a feeling of most intense loyalty throughout the whole school, and the fact that it was the men they knew, their own relatives, and tho relatives of their school mates, who took part in such a great event, brings it home to them very closely."

Although preparations have not yet completed, headmasters and committees are arranging for speakers who will give short addresses on patriotic subjects. The wliolo ceremony will not take longer than an hour, and if the children cannot bo seated, not longer than half an hour. Tho suggestion has been made that the three city schools, Nelson, Napier, and Meresford Streets, should hold a combined celebration. This would mean an assemblage of over 1500 cmldren, and it has further been proposed that if the weather permits, the gathering might be held in one of the city parks. In view of the closing of tho schools for the Easter vacation, it has been decided to celebrate Anzac Day oil Thursday afternoon,_ April 20. The parents of all schools will be invited to attend.