Anzac Day Memorial Service and Centenary Exhibition 2025

Anzac Day was an especially moving commemoration at the College this year. On Friday 25 April 2025 we marked a significant milestone - 100 years since the Memorial Chapel - The Chapel of the Invisible and Living Lord, was officially dedicated by the then Archbishop of New Zealand, His Grace Alfred Walter Averill. 

This year's service, blending elements of the traditional KCOCA service with the original Service of Dedication from 1925, offered powerful glimpses into the day when the Memorial Chapel was first consecrated. The Bishop of Auckland and Board member Ross Bay, began the proceedings by reading the original petition that invited Archbishop Averill to dedicate the Chapel: 

 "Reverend Father in God, we request you to dedicate this Memorial Chapel to the honour and glory of God, under the name of the Chapel of our Invisible and Living Lord, and in memory of the Old Boys of this School who gave their lives in the Great War..." 

The service that followed was a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to the 111 Old Collegians and several staff who died in the Great War, as well as the 102 Old Collegians - including former Headmaster J N Peart - who were lost in the Second World War. 

Readings were offered by Deputy Head Prefect William Glover (Year 13, Peart), Senior Sacristan Sofia Gong (Year 13, Marion Bruce), and First XV Co-Captains Marco Miln (Year 13, Selwyn) and Saia Manu (Year 13, Averill). Their readings were interwoven with the rousing hymn-singing of more than 300 guests, whose voices filled the Chapel in a stirring display of remembrance. The deeply moving anthem Tell My Father, performed by All The King's Men and conducted by Matua Steven Rapana, was another highlight of the service. 

A particularly memorable moment came with the address from Old Collegian Lieutenant Oliver Cook (School, 2013-17), who is currently serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Lieutenant Cook seamlessly wove together the stories behind the two Chapel windows dedicated to Ronald MacClean and Joseph Hunter, reflecting on the centenary themes of Remembrance, Celebration, and Service. He also shared personal reflections on his role within today's Defence Forces, offering a poignant bridge between past and present. 

The solemn reading of the names on the Rolls of Honour by KCOCA President Matt Willis and Headmaster Simon Lamb, followed by the sounding of The Last Post, Ode to Remembrance, and The Reveille, brought the service to a fitting and powerful conclusion. 

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended and to those who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this service possible, especially staff members Sandra Ward, Ria Little, Tammy Marais and Nicola Davies. 

The 100 Years of our Chapel Exhibition will remain open for viewing after school this week, from 3.30pm to 5.00pm. 

Virtus Pollet Reverend Gareth Walters 

Click here for an audio recording of Headmaster Simon Lamb and Reverend Gareth Walters discussing the special day with RNZ. 

See below for a collection of photos from the morning.