During a very moving service, members of the student council placed 30 white crosses on the embankment below the Chapel.

Each school and kura in New Zealand (including independent and integrated schools) has been given 30 white crosses.

Each cross is named to include local men, nurses, New Zealand Victoria Cross recipients, the youngest New Zealander who died (aged 17), an All Black captain, and one with the words "Known Unto God" to represent the unknown soldier.

St Peter's College acting deputy principal Bridget Ryan said pupils had been researching the soldiers on the crosses the school had been given.

Corporal Aaron Horrell who has served in Afghanistan spoke to the students about his own 'tours of duty' and the reality of war as it affected him.

Former pupil Jackie Bristow's song Fallen Youth was played on the big screen and a video of fallen soldiers from the Gore area, to the tune of Amazing Grace, was also played.

Ryan said the school held its service on the Tuesday before ANZAC Day so that Horrell could speak to the pupils, not just about Gallipoli but his own experiences serving for the armed forces.

It was a very poignant service," she said.

"Having him speak brings it all home - it makes it real."

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
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• education.govt.nz
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Fred Bressette, the assistant coach of the The RugbyNY Western Boys All-Stars said the got "clobbered by St. Peters College of New Zealand 89-0 but have a blast anyway."

"Despite the lopsided scoreline, the program has made great progress in just a few short years. Over 70 players came to this year's tryouts and we had 45 boys participate in three events, with wins over Virginia and New Jersey this season."

The match with St. Peter's marked the first time a team from New Zealand has played in Western New York and follows last year's successful hosting of the Windsor School for Boys from London.

"Playing matches against teams from traditional rugby countries like England and New Zealand is a great opportunity for our guys and raises awareness of the sport here in the states," said RugbyNY head coach Mike Hodgins.

The event on July 8 also marks the return of RugbyNY to the campus of Niagara University, which previously hosted the 2011 RugbyNY State Championships.

RugbyNY is a USA Rugby-recognised, state-based organisation that is responsible for administering youth and high school rugby in the state of New York.

It is responsible for staging the annual NY State High School Championships and providing resources and programming for players, coaches, referees, educators and parents.

The RugbyNY Western Boys All-Star team is comprised of players from the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse-area clubs that compete in RugbyNY's Upstate Division.

The team recently competed in the Pittsburgh Challenge Cup Regional All-Star Tournament against other teams from across the country, including Indiana, Virginia, Ohio and New Jersey.

Look at Photos On Fred's FaceBook page

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• Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune
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