In a recent interview with NZ Herald political editor Audrey Young, the French Prime Minister said ‘France holds an eternal debt towards New Zealand: a large number of her children sacrificed their lives for freedom during both world wars.  The commemoration of the centenary of the fights in the trenches has given rise to numerous projects, cultural and academic between France and New Zealand. The programme "Shared Histories" for example, passes this memory on to students of our two countries.’  A class of Year 9 students at Long Bay College have been completing a Shared Histories project called Forgotten Voices with College de Meyssac in France. This is part of an initiative run by the French Ministry of Education through the French Embassy. As participants of this programme the teacher in charge, Ms Foster and a student representative, Tace Chapman were invited by His Excellency Manuel Valls, Prime Minister of France to attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Monday 2 May, held during his visit to New Zealand.