From the Chaplain
November 18, 2025 – Edition 15
We Will Remember Them
On 11 November 2025, Casey Grammar School marked Remembrance Day in a number of ways. Some students participated in smaller class services, while others were involved in larger community gatherings. Many students purchased poppies, and we are delighted to say that we raised $372 for the Poppy Appeal supporting veterans and their families.
Despite wild Melbourne spring weather, including hail, our Junior School Captains and Social Justice Captains were accompanied by Mrs Mathews to the Cranbourne War Memorial, where they laid a wreath on behalf of the school as part of the Cranbourne Dandenong Returned and Services League (RSL) service.
Our Foundation to Year 2 students gathered together in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) to share in a small service led by some of our Year 6 leaders. It was lovely to all come together in this way and to have our Year 6 students teach our younger students about this important day. We were privileged to also have Brett Harrison join us with Alfred, his assistance dog. At the conclusion of our time together, he generously answered some questions for the Foundation to Year 2 students about his time in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Many of our families have supported this year’s RSL Poppy Appeal. Some of these funds go to Young Diggers, an organisation that supports veterans and their families. It was valuable for the students to meet Alfred, a dog provided by Young Diggers, and to see in practice where the funds go.
Our Senior School students gathered in the PAC to share in our Remembrance Day service, led by our recently appointed captains for 2026. It was wonderful to see how quickly they volunteered to be involved and how seriously they took their role in guiding our Senior School students in marking this day. We were also fortunate to have our Buttigieg Concert Band, conducted by Mr Evans, play the National Anthem and “Abide with Me” as we concluded the service. Mr Collidge also movingly played the Last Post and Rouse. We are grateful that they are willing to share their musical talent as part of this significant day.
A highlight was having Brett Harrison share with us all and show some of his photos from his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was a privilege to hear from him as he spoke about the role of Australian forces in Afghanistan in their roles supporting local people. He shared the work he was involved in to help establish and protect a local school for girls. For our students, it is a valuable reminder of the gift of education and safety, and also the sacrifices made by members of the Australian Defence Force, some of whom are in our own school community. We are grateful for their service.
In closing, I would like to share a prayer I found in my preparations for Remembrance Day. It was written by Dr Karen Campbell of the Church of Scotland.
Creator Spirit of all that is and was and will be,
A hundred years ago and here today we pray for families whose loved ones did not return from the place of war.
We raise to You, husbands and wives, who sought and still seek to understand the changes deep within the soul of their partners through their experience of war.
We raise to You, O Friend of All friends and comrades who lived and live in the aftermath, who exist in the space between youth and survival.
For survivors of bomb and blast and bullet and shrapnel, whose bravery endured and endures through operations and setbacks through rehabilitation and prosthetics, skin grafts and patience.
We raise to You, O Spirit of Hope, people then and everyone now, who have no experience of combat.
May we pray for the healing of hearts and bodies.
This Remembrance Day, let us ask for God’s blessings that we might work for peace and pray in hope.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Every blessing in the week ahead,
Monique Riviere Pendle
Chaplain
