Our Mission: To provide a quality comprehensive and inclusive educational environment where all students can achieve Newsletter also on the web at www.cowra-h.schools.nsw.edu.au


Principal: Charles Gauci B.Ed., Dip.T.


Deputy Principal: Paul Bullock B.Sc., Dip.Ed. Deputy Principal: Ian Pattingale B.App.Sc., Dip.Ed.


Volume 2012 Issue 9 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT


Camden Visit As reported in the last newsletter, I had the pleasure this year of travelling to Camden with our competitors to defend the Robert Montgomery Shield.


It was unfortunate that we weren’t able to


overcome the home team advantage, but importantly every student put their all into every game. It is easy to be gracious in victory, but I was extremely proud of the sportsmanship and grace displayed by our students in defeat. Thank you to all the students and teachers who made the visit so memorable.


Mr Roger Berry, Camden High Principal, forwarded the following email from a Camden parent and I thought I would share it with you:


“I just wanted to ask if you could pass on some information to the Cowra staff. The 3 billets we had were wonderful ambassadors of their school and a pleasure to have in our home. It was a bit of a shock for our family having 3 Year 11 boys but my 3 girls enjoyed every moment. Again these teenagers were exceptional young people and their parents and the school should be very proud of them, we enjoyed having them stay. Thanks to all the staff who make Cowra happen as it is a wonderful experience for all...go Camden.”


POW Visit Cowra High was honoured to be involved in Mr Murakam’s last visit to Cowra. Students and teachers alike were fascinated by this gentleman’s personal insight into a night which has been pivotal in Cowra’s history. His wish for peace and harmony was a message which came through with quite strength.


Have a great fortnight. Charles Gauci


Friday 15 June, 2012 LIVING HISTORY


For a generation of students, staff & friends of Cowra High, Friday 1 June will be remembered as the day they were privileged to meet a part of living history. On his fifth visit to Australia, Mr Murakami, one of the last surviving Japanese Prisoners of War, visited Cowra High for the first time.


During his Murakami was


visit, Mr gracious


enough to open up about his past, beginning with his capture and subsequent imprisonment in Cowra’s Prisoner of War camp. He then relived his memories of the events that took part on the


night of the


Breakout. Following this, he spoke of his return to Japan after the end of the war and his dreams of


returning to Australia. He then ended with his fulfilled desire to visit Australia one last time before his death.


Following this, Mr Murakami was kind enough to answer questions asked by students ranging from the relationships made in the camps, his mindset on the night of the Breakout to the grim reality of the deaths of his friends.


Thanks goes out to all who were present ~ Mr Murakami; his translator, Mami Yamada; past exchange students; members of the community; and the students.


Mr Murakami was a very comprehensive man who enlightened us on what being a Japanese Prisoner of War was like ~ Matt Siegert Year 11


This visit is very prominent for the History students as it provides an intimate, first-hand account of Cowra’s devastating Breakout. This visit gives us a perspective of the Japanese POW, their values and their honour. I was surprised with Mr Murakami’s honesty in answering very difficult questions. I was glad to be part of this rare opportunity ~ Darcy Ford Year 11


Nick Quinn Year 12


PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au We value support ~ there’s always someone there to help


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