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It was around 4.30 in the morning on 25 April 1915, the first soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (the ANZAC’s) landed in the Ari Burnu area on the Gallipoli Peninsula. On the same morning, soldiers from Britain, France and their colonies launched assaults at nearby Cape Helles and Kum Kale.
The Allies were determined to destroy the heavily armed forts overlooking the Dardanelles to allow a naval fleet to enter the Sea of Marmara and then bombard the Ottoman Turkish capital of Constantinople that we now know as Istanbul. They hoped this would force Turkey’s surrender and therefore ease the pressure on Russia and deprive Germany of a major ally.
Historians estimate that some 2000 Australians were killed or wounded on 25 April, on that single beach landing, but there are no precise casualty figures for that day. Corporal Jason Coulter from Ballarat landed in the second wave with the 8th Battalion and provided his account of the fighting that followed in his diary:
Landed at Gallipoli Peninsula, Gaba Tepe, on Sunday 25th April under heavy shell and rifle fire. Got straight into action – and it was hell – God how the shells poured over us while the bullets from the enemy rifles poured into us – what a day of sorrow, men shattered to pieces and oh the sight and the sorrow – poor fellows left out on the field to die all through a wet cold night – many missing this morning, officers dead … God knows how many left tonight but we must go on and on till we beat them.
Like many of the Anzacs, Jason Coulter did not survive Gallipoli. He died of gunshot wounds on 10 August 1915, three months after arriving. Young Australians lied about their ages to be involved in this conflict – thinking they would see the world and escape the boredom of life at home. So many never returned and those that did had seen things that broke them.
For eight months the Anzacs hung on to their positions on the ridges and gullies above Anzac Cove, against the odds. Being shelled and machine gunned relentlessly. They could not go forward but they stood strong and the Turks could not force them back into the sea.
I have been touched by war - My father served in the Navy for 6 years and in the Korean War, and my Grandfather was imprisoned by the Japanese in the fall of Singapore in Changi Prison for three years. He returned mentally unstable.
We do not celebrate war, for in the end there are no winners, all are effected and the costs significant for families and loved ones and indeed countries.
What we do recognize is that Australia was a country barely 15 years old and men went to support the war of the Mother Country (England), but one which did not effect us, we chose to go. As a result of our commitment the war in Africa was won and led to the defeat of the German armies.
But nobody was the winner.
WAR - From the 1st of January 1900 to the 31st December 1999 a war was taking place somewhere around the world on EVERY SINGLE DAY. For 100 years
Over the recent weeks we have seen a massacre of innocent people in a mosque in Christchurch and the worse massacre of innocent people at churches in Sri Lanka.
And I ask you – WHY?
We celebrate our fallen heroes in the role of protecting our country, but have to be saddened and perplexed by the useless carnage of so many that happens today. Families torn and lives wasted.
As Catholics we turn to peace and tolerance as a way of life. We forgive. Surely this is a better path than we have seen lately.
Here at John Therry we have had some people wanting to sort out issues with others with violence. I ask you to think of people that you really respect and hold high – I bet they do not use violence to solve their problems. As Marist people - we can be better than that.
I ask you - Can you be better than that??
Lest we ever forget.
On the morning of ANZAC Day, 25th April, students and staff from John Therry gave up their mornings to pay their respects at the Service at Mawson Park, Campbelltown. A great ceremony took place, with respect shown from all who attended. On behalf on the staff and students who attended, I would like to thank Mr Martyn for his willingness to always organise a large group of students to attend the service each year. Over 60 students attended in full winter uniform and represented the school well.
Rainer Smith - Year 9
After a bright start to term one of sport, John Therry currently sits top of the MISA East Zone. Next week we begin our term two MISA sports with games against Magdalene Catholic College in all sports except for rugby league who will compete against All Saints College.
This term we have a busy start with Boys Diocese soccer held Thursday 2nd May, Girls Diocese soccer held Friday 3rd May. Whilst on Monday 6th of May our Diocese Cross Country team compete in Nowra. Thank you to all participants and coaches for their efforts on the carnivals.
This term we also have our Bill Turner soccer competition continuing with the Girls playing Freeman Catholic College in round two whilst the Boys will play St Gregs College in Round two. Both games to be played next Wednesday, coaches have permission notes. Good luck to both teams.
FURTHER SOCCER OPPORTUNITIES: 16 YEARS AND UNDER BOYS SELECTIONS
Nominations must be completed online via the CSSS website. All nominations will be reviewed and 66 players will be invited to attend a trial for the NSWCCC 16 years and under team that will compete at the NSW All Schools Championships. When a player registers online, this will NOT mean they will automatically be invited to attend the CCC Selections.
These players will be notified via the website if they are invited to attend.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
This term we also have our athletics carnival in Week 9. Currently Conolly house hold a strong lead in the sporting house championship, can anybody catch them? If you did not bring back your swimming/ athletics note you are required to do so. Spare notes can be collect at the sport office.
Finally, please ensure all sport permission notes are returned to the sports office or your team's coach (not your LG teacher), reminder there is now a permission note mailbox if the office is unattended.
Looking forward to a great term 2 in sport.
For more sporting information, please visit the John Therry Sport Page
https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/johntherrysport/home
Regards
Mr Daniel Goodhew
JOHN THERRY GIRLS TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA AT THE HIP HOP INTERNATION TITLES
Four John Therry students are set to represent Australia at the Hip Hop International titles at Phoenix Arizona in August. Vanessa Redzic, Jayde Perenara, Sarah Perenara and Charlie Dadd and their mega crew ‘Wolfpack’ claimed the gold medal and the National hip hop title last Sunday, securing their place at the international final.
The girls have trained intensively for the last 6 months with their crew of 30, sacrificing their weekends in the pursuit of the national title. They will travel to the USA in August to compete with over 50 countries for a world title. Wolfpack will come up against The Royal Family, a crew who have achieved international success in music videos and sold out worldwide tours.
We wish them every success in representing Australia!
*If you have any sporting news you would like to share with our community, please contact Mr Daniel Goodhew daniel.goodhew@dow.catholic.edu.au
Many students say ‘I don’t have a good memory’ but there are many barriers to developing a good memory that are able to be overcome. Here are the top 3:
- NEGATIVE MINDSET / ATTITUDE
Henry Ford once famously said, “whether you believe you can, or you can't, you are right”. This refers to your mindset or mental attitude, and the concept that your mind is powerful enough to enable your thoughts to create your reality. If you have a negative attitude to your memory, it will likely reduce your chance of developing and maintaining a good memory. There are some simple steps you can take to start making changes to negative thoughts. Be aware that negative thoughts are just a habit, and habits can be changed with a little effort. Awareness is the key to changing a habit, as you need to consciously be aware of the current habit before you can change it – so start catching yourself in the act of making negative statements. Affirm your intention to improve the way you think. Then correct the negative statement you just made, and make it into a more positive one.
- ABSENTMINDEDNESS / NOT PAYING ATTENTION
The first stage of the memory process is encoding the information that is to be remembered – thus the brain uses the senses and emotions to process the information and form a memory. Here are some ways in which you can be less absentminded:
- Setting an intention to become more attentive.
- Sitting up front where there are less things to distract you, especially if you have difficulty paying attention in class.
- Taking notes in class to ensure you listen.
- STRESS / ANXIETY
Stress will increase the likelihood of being distracted, resulting in low concentration meaning that information may not be encoded accurately – and thus cannot be later retrieved. Stress may also result in mental blanks. For example, if you’re stressed before an exam, you may not be able to think clearly and access and retrieve the information you need. The best thing to do is to take ten deep breaths and calm down to allow your mind to focus.