Instead of flicking over pages, pupils have been turning over World War I German air force life jackets and barbed wire from the Gallipoli trenches.

Mrs Vassiliou's simple request for Anzac Day memorabilia led former pupil Ben Smith, of I.S. Wright Militaria, to donate a military artifacts, mostly from his private collection.

Historic items on show include nails used to hold the wooden trench boards together at Gallipoli, as well as gas masks, bayonets and boots from a World War I soldier.

"I've thrown out all my lessons this week. In each class, the children just want to sit around and share personal family stories," Mrs Vassiliou said.

"We haven't highlighted the glory of war, we've highlighted the struggle and the hardship Australians and New Zealanders would have gone through."

RSL junior vice-president and memorabilia room co-ordinator Graeme Cummins, grandfather of Grade 6 pupil Brooke Vurlow, visited the display.

He said more than 250 people had visited the RSL rooms this week. "We don't promote war, we promote the futility of war," he said.

Aussie Disposals also donated camouflage nets and ammunition for the display.