From poppies to donkeys and heartfelt stories, our ANZAC Day journey was filled with meaning. Tamariki shared kai, honoured local heroes, and embraced the spirit of remembrance with aroha and pride. A morning to remember—Lest We Forget. ❤️
On Friday, our tamariki (children) at BestStart Petone took part in a very special morning, pausing to honour the brave men and women — past and present — who have served our countries.
Our ANZAC celebrations were the beautiful result of a rich learning journey that unfolded over the past few weeks. Together, we explored the meaning of ANZAC Day through stories, discussions, and creative activities, helping our young learners to understand the importance of remembrance, bravery, and gratitude in ways that felt real and heartfelt.
A highlight of our learning was discovering the story of the Petone Railway Cross, a special memorial made from both Australian and New Zealand wood. Sharing this piece of local history helped our tamariki feel even more connected to our community’s past and the stories that shaped it.
We also read about Duffy the Donkey, who carried wounded soldiers to safety during the Gallipoli campaign. Duffy’s story really captured the children’s hearts and inspired lots of lively conversations, questions, and beautiful pieces of art and craft — from poppies to donkeys, crosses, and remembrance wreaths!
To make the learning even more meaningful, we invited our families to share photos and stories of their own loved ones who had served. It was so special for the children and teachers to see these family connections, helping the tamariki understand that ANZAC Day isn't just history — it's part of our families, our stories, and our lives today.
After paying their respects, our tamariki returned to the centre to enjoy a special shared breakfast. Sitting together, sharing kai (food), and reflecting on what they had learned made the morning feel even more like whānau.
Moments like these remind us how powerful learning can be when we share stories across generations. We are so proud of our tamariki for the respect, kindness, and aroha (love) they showed. Lest We Forget. ❤️