Dressed in green, all the students and staff of the St Patrick’s Primary Schools of Swansea, Wallsend, Cessnock and Lochinvar joined in the fun and games to celebrate St Patrick’s Day festivities. 

Although the weather was not on our side, it did not stop the children and teachers from dressing up in the craziest green costumes they could find; from green hair to shamrock tattoos, they were full of Irish spirit. In celebration of St Patrick’s Day, students were asked to donate a gold coin to Project Compassion – Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising and awareness appeal.

Swansea kicked off the day with open classrooms where parents and grandparents were invited to inspect the student’s artwork for the St Patrick’s Day art competition. Followed by a special Mass, students raced to the canteen to line up for the green food sales. It was not long till everyone was hyped up on sugar, perfect for the afternoon activities of Irish bingo, a pot of gold treasure hunt, Hurley, St Paddy’s rainbow balloon ball and a shamrock straw game.

Year 1 teacher, Cathy Dent said, “St Patrick’s Day is important for the children because it gives them a connection to the school name as they can relate it to their Saint. The students loved playing St Patrick’s Day games and activities throughout the day despite the weather”.

Wallsend students from Stage 3 organised an action-packed day of fun activities, from face painting to lucky dips, photo booths, coin toss, netball shots and lucky shamrocks. By 2pm, students gathered together for a special school assembly and presentation of prizes and sham-o-grams.  

Principal Grant Diggins, said, “the children love the celebration of being together and doing special activities. They enjoyed going to Mass this morning and having fun with the sham-o-grams. Our school is a mercy school so it is important to celebrate this day acknowledging our patron Saint, especially encouraging students to learn and carry out the traits of our mercy sisters, outlined in our vision and mission statement”.

At St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar, students and teachers gathered together to celebrate a special Mass and of course came dressed in green.

More festivities continued down the road in Cessnock, as students shared in the excitement at the PCYC doing rock climbing, gymnastics, ball games, hockey challenges and putt putt golf.

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