Orewa College students, staff, and community honoured ANZAC Day 2025 at the Remembrance Reserve in Orewa, celebrating leadership, remembrance, and manaaki with heartfelt tributes and performances.

Honouring Service and Strength on ANZAC Day

Orewa College proudly participated in the ANZAC Day service at the Remembrance Reserve in Orewa on Friday 25 April, joining our local community to remember those who served Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our Manukura (student leaders), students, staff, and wider whānau came together to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedoms. This meaningful event saw participation from New Zealand’s Returned Services, local schools, and the general public, with Orewa College playing an active role.

Ryder Donovan and Sarah Postlewaight proudly wore medals earned by their whānau, reflecting the deep personal connections that many in our school community have with those who served. Ryder shared, “It was an honour to wear the medals and remember those who served.”Special moments throughout the service included student Maria Walker-Kinnell’s moving performance on the bagpipes, and our student leaders laying a wreath in honour of the fallen. 

The service also featured a beautiful recitation of The Ode to the Fallen Soldier in Te Reo Māori by Lorelei Peat, daughter of Orewa College English teacher Tanja Spaabaek. Frank Rands delivered an emotional reading of Late for Supper, which added a poignant touch to the proceedings. Uniformed cadets from Orewa Sea Scouts participated, symbolising the spirit of community involvement and student leadership.

Principal Wiri Warriner, Associate Principal Anna Kenny, Lead Dean Jo Wilding, and Year 13 Dean Dennis Pollock joined our students and staff in paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for our nation.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou – Maria, Frank, Lorelei, Ryder, Sarah, the Sea Scouts, our Manukura, and all staff involved. Your contributions made this day truly memorable.

It was a privilege to represent our kura and the wider community on this occasion.