Top Adelaide Girls’ School Students Given The Opportunity To Walk In The Footsteps of the ANZACs
How a new generation are remembering our ANZAC heroes through culturally immersive study tours in recognition of their curriculum achievements.
Loreto College Marryatville Year 10 students Elisa Farah and Grace Collins are being celebrated for their exceptional achievements around their understanding in commemorating the importance and significance of ANZAC.
Elisa Farah was awarded Runner-Up for South Australia in the 2024 Simpson Prize and received the opportunity to undertake a 3-day study tour program in Canberra. The Simpson Prize is a national competition for Year 9 and Year 10 students which focuses on the service of Australians in World War One and World War Two.
Elisa’s work centered around the statement: “Commemoration of the ANZAC tradition has widespread support in Australia despite different historical interpretations and debates about the nature and significance of the ANZAC legend.” Her response was outstanding in its depth of research and enriching in use of historical sources.
As part of the study tour, Elisa visited several of the capital’s landmarks and institutions including the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Archives of Australia, and the Australian War Memorial. Elisa and the other 15 students also attended Government House Yarralumla where they were guests of the Simpson Prize Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General David Hurley, and her Excellency Mrs. Hurley.
Upon completion, Elisa was handed her certificate and medallion from the Hon. Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education at Parliament House. He also spoke about the ANZACs whom Elisa researched.
“They are the reason we commemorate Anzac Day. The reason we stand in silence as the sun slowly rises. Because of what they did for us. For an Australia and Australians, they would never know. Thank you for reaching across the void of time to seek to know them, what they did and why they did it.”
Grace Collins was named as a winner of the Premier’s ANZAC Spirit School Prize competition. She won a journey to Vietnam and historic site Long Tan. The Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize provides young South Australians with the opportunity to examine and empathise with the remarkable sacrifices of South Australian service men and women during the 20th century.
Grace was awarded first prize for her essay exploring her Great-Great Grandfather’s time serving Australia during World War I.
“My great-great-grandfather Claude Wilkey was one of many to fight on the Western Front in WWI. It was important to me to help share and preserve his story, as I strongly believe that one of the most significant things, we can do in relation to the ANZACs, is to understand and commemorate it,” Grace explained.
In reflection of the commitment to learning and interest in the areas of English and the Humanities, Grace has also been selected as a member of the South Australian 2024 National Schools Debating Championships (NSDC).
The NSDC are Australia’s most prestigious high school debating competition. The Championships involve one team from each state and territory, who compete in seven preliminary rounds and three finals rounds to be named national champions.
The 2024 Championships are being held in Adelaide from the 28th of April until the 5th of May. Therefore, while Grace is unable to travel to Vietnam, she will continue to hone her public speaking skills and intellectual agility in this national competition.
Kylie McCullah, Principal of Loreto College said: “At Loreto College, where the education and development of girls is at the forefront, recognising and empathising with the contributions of South Australian women service members holds a special resonance. By delving into the narratives of these remarkable women, Loreto College students not only pay homage to their legacy but also draw inspiration from their courage and resilience.”
Nevertheless, Grace's win marks the third time since 2022 that Loreto College students have been honoured with this recognition, with students Emma Choi and Alexandra Seal’s winning the awards last year. As part of their win, Emma and Alexandra embarked on a study tour to the Northern Territory where they delved into the rich historical context of the bombing of Darwin.
Commenting on winning last year’s Premier’s ANZAC Spirit School Prize, Emma said: “Embarking on the study trip to Darwin in 2023, as part of the Premier’s ANZAC Spirit School Prize, embodied an unparalleled opportunity for me and contributed significantly to my individual growth and development.”
“To be recognised as a 2022 awardee was an invaluable invitation to delve into the rich historical context of Australia during the war. I returned profoundly aware of the very fine line between the past and the present, and participating in the Prize has offered many further opportunities for me to foster this awareness and share indispensable knowledge with others,” Emma added.
The exceptional achievement of Grace Collins alongside Emma and Alexandra is a direct reflection of Loreto College's core mission: to foster the growth of empowered young women. Grace embodies the school's ideals, showing the world that the College’s students are prepared to lead with strong moral and ethical principles.
This connection fosters a deepened sense of identity and solidarity among girls, fortifying their resolve to pursue leadership roles and make meaningful contributions, just as these service women did, within their communities and beyond.
Thomas Marriott
About Loreto College
Loreto College Marryatville is South Australia’s leading all-girls day and boarding school, catering for students from Early Learning to Year 12.
Established in 1905, a Loreto education is built on a 400-year-old tradition first inspired by the founder of Loreto schools worldwide, Mary Ward, and encapsulates her beliefs in delivering an education that inspires strong, passionate, and confident girls and young women.
Loreto College Marryatville provides girls with a well-rounded education where students are presented with a broad range of opportunities and given the support and encouragement to become confident and engaged learners with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in their world.