As part of observing Remembrance Day on Friday, November 11, staff and students at Salesian College Sunbury ‘planted’ more than 1300 crocheted poppies across the lawns of the Rupertswood Mansion.
The expanse of woollen red flowers against the lush green was a beautiful and touching tribute to those lost in World War I.
Students, staff, parents, grandparents and the wider Sunbury community had all contributed to crocheting the poppies in recent months.
The teacher who came up with the idea, Tina Pronesti, was inspired by a link between the history of Rupertswood and a fallen soldiers – Lieutenant Keith Macdonald, the nephew of Sir Rupert Clark, was killed in France during World War I.
Ms Pronesti’s goal, which she thought was ambitious, was to reach 1000 crocheted poppies by Remembrance Day. On Friday, over 1300 were planted.
“Every single poppy symbol of connection with our school and a memory of the fallen… we are lucky to all belong to an amazing community at Salesian College Sunbury,” she said.