Feedback for ANZAC study tour to Turkey 2014 Name: Mel Bland [Associate Principal Manurewa Intermediate School] The ANZAC study tour to Turkey is coordinated by the Education Platform of Pearl of the Islands Foundation. This intense study-tour program involves a range of educational and cultural activities including visits to Gallipoli and participation in Anzac Day Dawn Services at Gallipoli as well as visits to major cities Istanbul, Izmir and Bursa, historical locations, museums, schools and dinner with local Turkish families and other significant buildings and places. Turkey is a country rich in history and with some truly wondrous sights to discover. This beautiful country has always attracted visitors who wish to venture into ancient history and experience the past and the present for themselves.
What are some of the things you learned about Turkey’s history? Turkey is so incredibly unique as it has been a part of so many different empires and civilisations throughout the centuries. It has been Christian and Muslim. Turkey is literally in the middle of the world, linking Asia and Europe but also with Middle Eastern influences. One of the main things I have learned is that Turkey has a history of great tolerance when it comes to other cultures or changes in religion. I learned a lot more about the history of the modern republic of Turkey linked mainly to the leadership of Ataturk. I was fascinated that Turkey was still the Ottoman Empire as recent as World War I. What did you enjoy most about some of the sights/historical locations you visited while on this study tour? Honestly, it is hard to define just one of the sights or locations visited. Istanbul was simply captivating – not just the sights but the whole city. I loved the Hagia Sophia the most but was equally enthralled with the Basilica Cistern, especially knowing it was one of many under what was formerly Constantinople. Ephesus was a real highlight but the house of the Virgin Mary really, really moved me. This tour has been designed and planned to strengthen existing relations with tour participants, build bridges between communities, schools and cultures.
Tell me about some of the ways you built relationships with the other students/adults on this tour – both from Manurewa Intermediate School and Papatoetoe Intermediate or from the Pearl of the Islands Foundation: I feel that I developed great relationships with the four students from Papatoetoe Intermediate and strengthened my relationships with my M.I. students. This was built and developed during preparation for the trip but being together for two weeks teaches you much more about each other. I was thrilled to get to know Pauline and Dianne more and really enjoyed talking about all sorts of things with them – education, students and of course, the possibility of our school being involved in this trip in 2015. Too often, our schools stand alone, almost as islands within the huge community of schools out there. This trip begins a strong partnership between our school and Papatoetoe – we already have plans for the students to reconnect by spending a day
hosting each other at each respective school. There are also plans to hold dinners with both the group and with the parents. Tell me about some of the ways you built relationships with the Turkish people you met and interacted with: I was blown away by the generosity and welcoming spirit of all the Turkish people I met, including those from the Foundation. I made the time to talk with those who hosted us at their homes, hoping that I made it clear that if they should ever visit NZ, I would welcome them into my own home. I certainly felt I got to know Taner much more and have a better understanding of his ideals, beliefs and hopes for others through organising a trip like this. I loved the way our group felt like a ‘family’ by the end of the trip, making friends with Foundation members like Yasir and Hafsa. I certainly hope that Taner knows he is able to contact me for any help he may need in the coming months. These study tour aims to enable young people to develop greater appreciation and understanding of different cultures, beliefs and a newfound respect for the ANZACs as well as the Turkish soldiers.
What did you learn about the Turkish culture and beliefs? • • • • • • • • •
Very welcoming and generous with anyone they meet through their families and friends Tolerant and accepting of other religions Beginning to appreciate the enormity of what their culture brings and is able to teach to the rest of the world Believe that peace is vital alongside tolerance of all cultures and religions Strong loyalty within family and extended family Family, visitors, guests within your home is an important part of everyday as the Turkish love to host and share life and meals with each other Very flexible – things may happen last minute due to the way Turkish culture/business happens – just go with it! The culture involves taking the time to appreciate life and people – a lot of this is done over tea There is real ceremony in the way the Turkish people eat and drink and present this – I particularly loved the way the coffee was presented elaborately
Why is it important to appreciate and understand different cultures? Our world will never be at peace until mankind appreciates and understands different cultures. This is why this is so important, alongside tolerance of others. And not just being tolerant but understanding a culture so that your tolerance is real. How did this trip help you do this? I strongly believe that it is not possible to appreciate and understand another culture unless you travel or are immersed in another culture. This trip immerses its participants in the Turkish culture in every possible way making it impossible to NOT
appreciate and understand different cultures. This is an incredible opportunity for the students and teachers fortunate enough to attend. It will support students to explore the history of Anzac Day and the continuing importance of New Zealand’s involvement in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions. It will provide an exciting opportunity for students to visit a World War I battlefield of significance to ANZACs and Turkish people to coincide with 2014 Anzac Day commemorations.
What do you know about the history of ANZAC Day? I know that the history of this day commemorates all New Zealanders and Australians killed in war. It also honours returned servicemen and women. The date itself marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the ANZACS – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. The aim was to capture the Dardanelles, the gateway to the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. At the end of the campaign, Gallipoli was still held by its Turkish defenders. Thousands lost their lives in the Gallipoli Campaign – Turkish, French, British, Australians, New Zealanders and more. To this day, Australia also marks the events of 25 April. Among the dead were 2721 New Zealanders, almost one in four of those who served on Gallipoli. It may have led to a military defeat, but for many New Zealanders then and since, the Gallipoli landings meant the beginning of something else – a feeling that New Zealand had a role as a distinct nation, even as it fought on the other side of the world in the name of the British Empire. ANZAC Day was first marked in 1916. The day has gone through many changes since then. The ceremonies that are held at war memorials up and down New Zealand, or in places overseas where New Zealanders gather, remain rich in tradition and ritual befitting a military funeral. What did it mean to you to attend the ANZAC Day ceremonies at Gallipoli? I really didn't know what to expect as I awoke on the morning of ANZAC Day. The weather was crisp but not cold. My clothing was all laid out plus all of the badges I had the Manurewa RSA, the replica Simpson medal, my enamel poppy, my 100 anniversary poppy sent from Wellington. It was rushed as I had Amelia and Alysha in my room so I helped get them organised before we were to all meet in the lobby at 2:30 a.m. We bundled into the van and arrived at the hotel for the VIP guests upon which we were then allocated one of the 12 huge buses lined up ready to go. After a short journey through Canakkale and another short journey on the ferry, our bus followed the train of vehicles heading to the dawn ceremony at ANZAC Cove. We were so incredibly fortunate to be seated two rows behind the Governor-General and the Ambassador. The atmosphere was charged with emotion and the crowd were somber and respectful. It was overwhelming to not only be there but more so to be there with the hundreds of others in attendance. The number of Kiwi's and Aussies was testament to the huge significance of this occasion.
The whole ceremony was poignant and so well executed, honouring our tupuna and those from Australia and Turkey who fought so valiantly at Gallipoli. It was very hard to control emotions as the honour roll recounted the names and young ages of our fallen, alongside the bittersweet obituaries written for those who lay at Gallipoli. I was so proud of our four young students and the reverence they held throughout the morning the work we had done before we left NZ had certainly paid off. Our young ambassadors, the great grandchildren of ANZAC troops, realized the huge privilege of being in attendance and also that we can never let this type of war happen again. We left ANZAC Cove for our VIP breakfast, where the children mingled with many soldiers and dignitaries. They were all so interested in why these young people were in attendance and what this day meant to them. We were so grateful to have the new 100 year centenary badges to pass out to servicemen and women from Australia, Britain, Turkey and Aotearoa. The Australian ceremony at Lone Pine was also touching, with the sun breaking out as the morning lengthened. What stood out to me were the closing lines: "Tread softly as you leave because you are walking where our ancestors fought and now lie in peace". So true and we most certainly paid respect as we left Lone Pine for Chunuk Bair and the NZ ceremony. This was what we were all waiting for and yet, we also knew would be even more emotional for us all. We had already used so many of our tissues and some of the children were not prepared for the enormity of emotion they had already experienced on this day. I am so proud to say what an incredible ceremony the NZ contingent had spent months organising in this 99th year anniversary. All speeches came from the heart, the stories of young soldiers and commanders that were shared showed just what had been experienced, and the songs/hymns both in Maori and English made us sing loudly with hearts swollen with pride. As we stood in silence for those men and women who helped shape our tiny but great nation, we all let our tears fall on the very ground they had fought upon. It was incredibly special and hard to almost describe. The enormity of what our ANZAC troops had experienced, suffered, died for, hit home for us all. We didn't want to leave. As we waited for the crowds to disperse, we talked quietly about what we had all just been a part of. It was, as the kids said, the most special experience of our trip. It was fitting to then be able to lay poppies and banners for our Manurewa RSA, those amazing returned servicemen and women who helped us make this epic journey. We will remember them. Lest we forget. The ode of remembrance really does speak to all of us who were there for the ANZAC day ceremonies. We will remember them and we will not forget.
Please provide any feedback that would help the Pearl of the Islands Foundation make this a better trip for students: 1. Packing List This needs to be more detailed for future trips. We wrote a much more detailed one for our students. Many of these families have not travelled and parents may not know what to pack. There were key items not listed, e.g. travel adaptors, warm jacket, etc. It also would help to be clearer on things like the very changeable weather in Turkey at this time. None of our students had brought summer clothing or shoes for the heat. 2. Mini Van The mini-van in 2014 was too small for the number of participants joining the trip and for the amount of luggage we had. Either a larger mini-van needs to be booked for future trips or a size limit needs to be put on the luggage for all tour participants. We had asked before we left what type of luggage would be most suitable but didn’t get specific feedback on this. 3. Travel to Bursa/Izmir/Gallipoli We were not told, before the tour, that we would only be able to take a small bag away with us when we left Istanbul for Bursa. Our students did not have a spare small bag to pack three outfits into. We were totally unprepared for this. When we were told, close to 10 p.m. that night, it was a surprise. That evening we had to pack. BUT we got home at midnight and of course, our students needed their laundry done in order to pack appropriately. This resulted in Moreen and I doing their washing until 2:30 a.m. the next morning. If we had known before we left NZ that we were not allowed to take our suitcases on this section of the trip, we would have pre-packed and ensured our students were prepared for this. 4. Laundry facilities Laundry facilities are very limited on this tour. This needs to be much more explicit to tour participants. However, if luggage is to be restricted then there needs to be confirmed laundry facilities at certain points on the trip. You would be unable to ask tour participants to limit their luggage unless they have regular times to get their clothes washed along the way. As it was, when we were on the ‘road’ to Bursa/Izmir/Gallipoli, students and teachers ran out of clean clothes. 5. Feeding children We all ate well on this trip and our family dinners were amazing. However, there were three days when our days were so full on, that we did not have time to have lunch. I carried snacks and food constantly in my bag because this trip is about kids – and kids get hungry! I had to ensure I was prepared each day to feed them when they were hungry. There is plenty of great street food in Turkey so time needs to be made to ensure kids eat and drink water at appropriate times throughout the day. 6. The Grand Bazaar We got to the bazaar very late in the day. There was not the time the students needed to really ‘drink in’ this experience and enjoy it without being rushed. This day could be started earlier to give the students more time to find the souvenirs and items for their families. They look forward to this shopping day and save up for it for two weeks – more time to enjoy it would be great.
7. Adults on the trip There were too many adults on the trip – the trip should be limited to two guides linked to the Foundation [Taner, Hafsa] and only two adults per school – one being a man and one being a woman. This makes six adults. At times on the 2014 trip, there were 9 – 10 adults involved. We also need men to attend with the schools so they can supervise the boys at the schools we stay at – especially if like the school we stayed at in Istanbul, women were not allowed on the boy’s floor and vice versa. Personal recommendations I have for Manurewa Intermediate School if they attend the trip in 2015 1. Keep the system with each teacher being responsible for two students’ passport, pocket money, medicine, etc. Moreen and I had zipped pockets for each of our students with everything in there which we carried with us at all times. 2. Make sure you have a comprehensive medical kit – just in case. We used a lot of Histaclear (allergy tablets which we used for hay fever and cold and flu). Coldrex Cold and Flu tablets were invaluable alongside Mucinex. Make sure you have the children’s medication clearly labelled and carried at all times. Our parents were fantastic in ensuring this was ready to go the day before we left. 3. Check the student’s suitcases the day before you leave – vital for their organisation. Check the day packs as well especially in light of the overnight stay in Korea on the way to Turkey [see packing list we wrote for our parents]. Our time spent doing this the day before we left was invaluable. Our children and parents were so prepared! 4. Pack for very variable weather but pack less rather than more (dependent on laundry facilities). The Grand Bazaar is awesome shopping and students will fill up the extra room in their suitcases – rest assured! 5. Make sure you DEFINITELY run a club of sorts once a week from the moment students are selected up until you go away. This is invaluable for not only learning about what you are going to see but also to know the huge significance of Gallipoli, World War I and students own family links to war. 6. Take school Ipads. Set them up before hand as each student needs: IMovie A working Skype address and app set up on IPad Their personal email set up on the IPad (preferably Hotmail or Gmail) Facebook App on the IPad Maori TV app on the IPad (if involvement with them continues) 7. Use many of the templates created from the 2014 trip to help you plan this trip. 8. Get parent working phone numbers, mobile numbers and emails from day 1. This makes communication so easy.
9. Two teachers from the school are great but one needs to be male and one female. 10. Continue the strong relationship we have built with the Manurewa RSA – this is really helping build community. 11. Plan to take approximately 10 really nice gifts on tour to share with families who host you for dinner. Our gifts were all in simple Aotearoa drawstring backpacks ($2.50 each) and contained the following: • Roses chocolates • A Kiwiana serving tray/plate/bowl or similar • Kiwiana tea towel • Manurewa Intermediate School card and envelope – prewritten with thank you messages 12. We also had calendars, pencils, pens, stickers, badges, bags, key rings, etc. all from NZ and about NZ culture. These were bought cheaply from around Manukau. This was invaluable for sharing with the many kids we met on the trip and we gave out things like this to cafeteria ladies, etc. 13. We got great badges from Wellington marking the 100 year centenary of Gallipoli which we were able to give troops on ANZAC Day. The students shared these and often got other badges back off the troops. This was cool – think about what you could take to give out. 14. Tour sweatshirts were AWESOME and made us united, made us stand out as a group. Consider getting sponsorship for these as they were expensive and consider a tour sweatshirt and tour t-shirt as the weather is variable. 15. Start a Facebook page/blog/etc. before the trip. This is invaluable for sharing news, research, videos, etc. It was well used by parents, staff and students throughout our preparation leading up to the trip and on the trip. 16. Buy a data bundle for Zone 2 (Europe) – all info for this is on the website of your phone provider. You will need a smart phone. The data bundle will enable you to upload pictures for parents during the trip. This eases their mind as they see their children and know all are well if you are without Wi-Fi. There were a number of times that our students could not contact their parents and parents have shared back that the Facebook page was invaluable. But if I didn’t prepurchase a data bundle, my phone bill would have been out of control! 17. Only take the very, very best of the four students you can choose! We were humbled by the children we were privileged to take with us because their behaviour and attitudes were simply outstanding. They have to be the best – not just students who deserve a chance – you need the very best. Our children did our prayers, spoke eloquently in front of families and were able to get along with anyone. They need to be motivated to learn more, willing to engage in new experiences and not be afraid of the challenges that are associated with travel. Much of the success of this trip was due to these four students and their incredible families who gave us 100% support every step of the way. Thank you!