This special assembly is always held prior to Anzac Day due to school holidays.

The principal, Lorraine Haddon, welcomed the special guests, Greg Laird and Ray Chesher from the Port Macquarie R.S.L. sub-branch and special guest speaker, David Curry.

The school captains took to the stage for the occasion. Rhys Boreham welcomed everyone to the solemn gathering and outlined the program. Emma Piper followed with a detailed history of Australia's involvement in all the conflicts beginning with World War I.

Emma quoted statistics on the number of lives that were lost and gave the audience an impressive history lesson on the 20th century's many trouble spots and of Australia's involvement.

The first musical item was a robust rendition of the beautiful song (from 1983 by John Schumann the lead singer of Red Gum) "I Was Only 19," sung by Liam Bisco to his own guitar accompaniment.

When the applause for Liam Bisco settled, Rhys Boreham held the audience spellbound with the story of Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 2010 and who was voted 'Father of the Year' last year.

Rhys spoke about Corporal Roberts-Smith's heroism and his determination to take calculated risks recalling the corporal's words: "Doing nothing means to fail." Rhys said that we can all learn from the courage and bravery of this fine human being.

The Victoria Cross is the highest award in the Australian honours system.

Vice captain, Chantelle Cooper, contributed to the respectfully sombre mood with a beautiful reading of a poem written by Rev. Charles F. Fink called, "Bury Me With Soldiers." Large images from different conflicts were projected on a big screen for the duration of the assembly, which added to the atmosphere.

Next, piper Connar McKenzie from the Hastings District Highland Pipe Band played 'Amazing Grace.' The powerful music of the bagpipes filled the hall.

School captain, Rhys Boreham then introduced the guest speaker, David Curry. Mr. Curry told the audience that he joined up when he was 15-years-old. He is now in his late 80's and was "only 19" when the war ended. He's had a good life, he said, with a wife, children and 17 grand children, something that those who made the ultimate sacrifice missed out on.

Mr Curry outlined many of his war-time experiences but kept his remarks brief as he told his audience that he had agreed to talk to history students in class during the day. Mr Curry did spend the afternoon talking to 15 year old history students who are the same age as he was when he joined up.

He said he could tell his story better to that age group.

All stood for a reading of the 'Ode of Remembrance,' a minute's silence, followed by the 'Last Post' and 'Reveille.' The school choir sang the National Anthem to bring the very moving assembly to a close after which the invited guests moved from the hall and joined the Principal for morning tea. Students and teachers filed quietly back to classes.

At the regular weekly assembly on Wednesday, the principal had already invited students and staff to join with her on Anzac Day for the march to the Town Green.