Aston: Being on the Premier’s ANZAC Spirit tour made me realise that the people that we hear about and we read about in history, they're not just names and they’re not just certain words.

They're also people that were just like us that dedicated their life to making Australia a better place.

Vinka: So looking at how the prize has impacted my academic ambitions, I'd say that it's definitely exemplified
my passion for history and for learning.

I have wishes to study or to complete a Bachelor of Arts majoring in modern history so that I can then later complete my juris doctor to practice law here in Australia and even potentially go into politics as well.

William: The best part of the whole experience would probably be meeting everyone. They’re all so different,
but we're also similar as well.

They're really nice people and it was great to learn the history and learn about our country and what it's been through.

Charlotte: My older brother, Ezra, he won the prize back in 2021 and so he got to go to Darwin as well, and then I won it in 2022 and I went to Darwin and now my sister's won it.

Jack: I'm definitely looking at going into something historical in the future.

Lauren (teacher): I've taken some history classes that I never planned to ever be taking.

In fact, I'm doing a university class next year, hopefully, for history and being able to do that experience I never would have thought about before being able to win this.

The first student who had been a recipient of this award, afterwards, she was taking part in some public speaking events, and I just watched her confidence as a young adult grow and watch her empathy for the world deepen.

History became her passion, and she now wants to be a history teacher and she's also become our school
captain this year.

Student: Absolutely I would encourage anyone who is passionate about history and looking to further develop
their skills.

I think by participating in this you gain so many priceless opportunities that you can't seek elsewhere and it really is a lifelong experience.

End of transcript.

To enter, students are required to respond to the following 2 questions, as well as writing a personal statement. Entries will be judged on the structure and clarity of their responses for parts A and B.

The responses can be in either of the following formats:

1. A written piece of up to 2000 words (presented as a typed document).
2. A multi-media presentation of up to 12 minutes (emailed or submitted on a USB).

Applicants are asked to avoid including school or student name within their submission.

Part A (maximum 1500 words)

Worth: 15 marks.

Using a range of sources, research the experience of a South Australian service man or woman who served (Navy, Army, Air Force, Nursing or other service duties) during World War 1 and/or World War 2. Maximum 1500 words.

1. Describe their background and life before departing for war (2 marks).
2. Describe their service during the relevant World War/s and the circumstances of their death or their life after the war/s (5 marks).
3. Use a range of primary and secondary sources such as photographs, maps, artefacts, diary entries, books and archival materials and ensure that they are correctly cited in the list of references (4 marks).
4. Using evidence drawn from your research, explain how your individual reflected Anzac Spirit characteristics (choose 2 to address out of perseverance, and mateship, courage, discipline and ingenuity) (4 marks).

Part B (maximum 500 words)

Worth: 5 marks.

How did you gather the evidence about your individual in order to tell their story? In your response, explain the process you undertook when researching your individual.

Personal statement (maximum 500 words)

On a separate document, students are required to write a personal statement highlighting their:

• involvement in the community
• extra-curricular contributions to the school
• interest in history.

Entries due Friday, 6 September 2024 at 5.00pm. Late entries will not be accepted.

Only 4 entries will be accepted from a school (unless that school also has a student/s submitting entries on behalf of a community organisation).

To enter:

Teachers and students read the below tips and advice for entries section.

Teachers fill in the online student entry and declaration form.

To do this you will require:

• student name, address and email
• caregivers name/s, phone and email
• school details
• principal, student and teacher declarations
• caregivers consent to participation.

Teachers email student submissions to AnzacSchoolPrize@sa.gov.au.

For written submissions, 2 documents (Word format) should be emailed through:

• document 1– part A, part B
• document 2 – personal statement.

Multi-media submissions should include a script to accompany part A, part B and personal statement.

In the email’s subject line, please label as below:

School name – LASTName FirstName – 2024 Premiers ANZAC – InsertNameOfEntry (e.g. Anzac High School – SMYTH Matilda – 2024 Premiers ANZAC – Personal Statement).

Applications not following format guidelines will not be considered in the judging process.

Applicants who do not have access to a computer or the internet can email us to make alternative arrangements AnzacSchoolPrize@sa.gov.au

View the list of individuals who cannot be researched for the 2024 Premiers Anzac Spirit School Prize (PDF 16 KB) .

Teacher applications

Teachers who have been directly involved in student entries in their school for the 2024 Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize are invited to apply for selection to accompany the Anzac prize student recipients on the study tour (2025).

Teachers can apply via the online form and they must be submitted with the student entries. The study tour will be led by a representative of the Department for Education and accompanying teachers. The role of the accompanying teacher is to implement the duty of care requirements of the three participating education sectors. The teacher application is to be submitted by Friday, 6 September 2024 at 5:00pm.

This is not a Department for Education merit selection process.

Those nominated are to be selected on the basis of:

• being a teacher directly involved in supporting a student or students participating in the 2024 Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize
• the support of the teacher’s school Principal
• a referee statement commenting on the applicant’s suitability for a supervision and support role in the context of the trip (to be emailed to AnzacSchoolPrize@sa.gov.au)
• a statement of no more than 600 words explaining their reasons for wanting to accompany the students on the Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize Study Tour in 2025. This statement is part of the online form.

The statement should include:

• information on teaching experience
• evidence of expertise in extended excursion management and responsibility
• evidence of excellent interpersonal skills with students
• evidence of demonstrated expertise in historical enquiry.

Choosing your service person

Ensuring that your service person’s story is ‘untold’ is central to writing a successful submission.

The study of lesser-known individuals is a general expectation of the competition ie a South Australian service person who’s experiences in WW1 and/or WW2 have not been the subject of considerable publication. The individuals profiled in previous winning entries should be avoided. This is the list of individuals who cannot be researched (PDF 16 KB) . You can also check the Virtual War Memorial Australia profile for the individual.

Your chosen person must have served in either World War 1 (WW1) or World War 2 (WW2) and be South Australian. This means that the service person must have been born, enlisted, raised or lived for a considerable amount of time in South Australia.

Like to double check? Contact the Virtual War Memorial Education team at: schools.program@vwma.org.au

Researching

The Virtual War Memorial of Australia contains many fantastic resources to support submissions. This includes:

• WW1 And WW2 service person research guides
• guide to reading Unit Diaries
• abbreviations
• finding photographs
• digital story telling.

Helpful tips for reading old handwriting can be located at:

• Tips for reading old handwriting - (ancestory.com)
• How to read cursive handwriting in historical documents - (Read-coop).

Consider reaching out to your nearest RSL or ex-service organisation to gain advice about finding primary source information, help with terminology and military understanding as well as the possibility of establishing some mentoring for the project.

Word count

Entries must adhere to the overall word count:

• part A to be a maximum of 1500 words
• part B a maximum of 500 words.

The word count for part A and B should appear at the end of both sections. The word count does not include referencing, the bibliography and brief captions under photographs/tables/maps etc.

Referencing and sources

Appropriate referencing in the text and a list of references is required as part of the entry. Correctly format the reference list – it’s not a list of URLs.

Original source work is critical and expected. Sources such as photographs, tables and maps must be described, referenced (ie Figure 1) and referred to in the text or referenced in appendices.

A range of primary and/or secondary sources must be used as evidence to support the analysis in Part B.

Students are advised to use between 3 and 6 sources that are referred to in the text and evident in the reference list.

If you locate a “shoe box” of articles and photos – use your phone to scan, use in work and upload to the VWMA.

Be careful with online generators.

It’s not specified, but in-text citation is very welcome and ensures that you do not make mistakes with the reference list.

If you interview a family member, you should cross check information with other sources (including other family members if possible) and research, particularly primary sources, such as the service record, to verify information. Family legend and lore does not always mean fact.

Writing a submission

Use the mark scheme to guide the depth of their responses to each section. It is suggested that you present your research in the order of the questions asked.

When addressing the question relating to the Anzac Spirit, if asked to address qualities such as perseverance and mateship, understand what those words mean. Address how the individual reflected the characteristics in their service, not just their life before/after the war. Avoid vague, romantised or exaggerated statements.

For multi-media entries, ensure it’s no longer than 12 minutes – the panel will stop judging after this time. Also submit a transcript to accompany your entry.

For PowerPoint presentations, include audio voiceover as this will strengthen the work.

The 2023 Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize awardees have been invited to participate in the State Government’s fully funded study tour to Vietnam in April 2024.

The 2023 awardees are:

• Rhys Heinrich - Central Yorke School
• Luke Graves - Charles Campbell College
• Zoe Bennett - Cornerstone College
• Owen Webster - Cornerstone College
• Alby Bradshaw - Endeavour College
• Miriam Lockwood - Horizon Christian School
• Isabella Hudson - Investigator College
• Grace Collins - Loreto College
• Tori Lockwood - Loxton High School
• Ella Frost - Mount Barker High School
• Maria LaMontagna - Our Lady of The Sacred Heart College
• Zali Kerley - Port Broughton Area School
• Stephen Files - Renmark High School
• Mehar Bains - Saint Ignatius’ Senior College
• Gabrielle Elias - Saint Ignatius’ Senior College
• Maxwell Callen - Scotch College
• Emma Slattery - St Joseph's School
• Matilda Lloyd - Torrens Valley Christian School
• Arden Kranz - Wirreanda Secondary School
• Megan Allen - Wudinna Area School.

The teachers selected to accompany the students:

• Rebecca Learey, Horizon Christian School
• Lara Davis, Mount Compass Area School

The RSL SA delegate on the 2024 prize study tour is Dennis Oldenhove, President, Macclesfield RSL.