The Wagga Navy division’s Chief Petty Officer Stewart Edwards’ son Michael attends the school and he argued the ceremony was important for students outside the defence community. 

“It’s definitely important for students to commemorate, especially for students who don’t have connections to defence and my son is often involved, but a lot of kids aren’t involved,” CPO Edwards said. 

KPS’ defence schools transition aid Rachel Dolan said the commemoration was held for children to understand why the country pays respect to those who fought in the war and those who are serving today.

“We have about 45 students from 32 families at our school and it gives these students the chance to show off their parents,” Mrs Dolan said. 

“Their parents are part of the reason why we have a great country and it makes the students feel a little bit special.”

KPS students have made over 2000 felt poppies to remember and pay respect to and honour those who had served and lost their lives, had returned with injuries and are still currently serving within the Defence Force. 

Of those 2000 poppies, 207 have had names attached to them to honour the members who had enlisted from the Wagga area and who had lost their lives in WW1.

The school’s ceremony worked in with the students key learning area of connections with history and respect. 

Including the defence families of the students attending KPS, members from the Ozy Youth Choir, the Australian Military Wives Choir, Defence Community Organisation and the defence school transition aides and school captains from both Kapooka Public School and Forest Hill Public School attended the ceremony.