It was an early Christmas wish for students at Hastings Public School after they found out they had won the Trees of Hope competition.
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Organised and run by Panther Port Macquarie the tree decorating contest was a chance to spread some Christmas cheer a few weeks early.
Hastings Public School deputy principal, Deborah Baker, said they were very excited to be able to take home the win to help fund a new COLA (covered outdoor learning area).
“We were very grateful to win $4000 win from Panthers from the Trees of Hope competition,” Ms Baker said.
“We have been raising money for the last two years to fund a new COLA and we will be adding this money to our funds for a new COLA over our netball court.
“A new COLA will provide an all weather shelter for students during PE and sporting activities and allow physical activities to continue even during the hot summer months. It will also provide an outdoor learning area for a variety of lessons.
“Furthermore, it will provide an all weather shelter for the many students who catch buses after school.”
Ms Baker said the P&C have been working tirelessly to raise the money for this much needed structure and it was great to have the community come and support it as well.
“We are a caring school, we care for our friends, our school and ourselves and we really wanted to show that in our tree,” she said.
“Rikki Kelly was the teacher who coordinated the decorations with students and all our decorations were focused around our caring school.”
Jo Turnbull from Panther Port Macquarie said the competition was a bit of fun for the schools and community groups in the lead up to Christmas.
“We are a very community focused club and thought a tree decorating competition was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit,” Ms Turnbull said.
“We also wanted to do something for the students and we thought this was a great way they can have some fun and raise some money for their school.”
The trees will be on display until December 28 at Panthers Port Macquarie.
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