"I guess the most surprising [information she found] is just how many people died there, the human cost within the first two hours ... 2000 people injured, killed or missing," she said.
It was information such as this which pushed her even more to pursue a career in the air force so she could serve her country in roles of a medic or her secondary path as a communications specialist.
During her research, Ayla realised she was not the only one of her peers who was uneducated about New Zealand's involvement in the Battle of Passchendaele and hoped more people would become motivated to learn like she was.
"It's our duty."
Tauranga Girls' College head of social science Murray Armstrong said the crosses used in the Field of Remembrance were made by students in 2015. He said students in the wood technology classes created the crosses, the art students painted them and the history students researched the fallen soldiers and their ranks.