Highton school dips deep for NSW

PUPILS from Montpellier Primary School are transforming into secret Santas this Christmas to help support New South Wales families who have been affected by drought.

The Montpellier Primary School Secret Santa Christmas for Country Kids Appeal – which will see 193 students from Trangie Central School and 80 students from Tullamore Central School gifted presents – is the initiative of Grade 3 pupil Fraser Mackey and his family.

The schools, both about an hour west of Dubbo, were selected with help from not-for-profit charity Drought Angels who identified the townships as extreme drought affected areas.

Appeal director Kylie Mackey said when discussing the families in NSW who were struggling to make ends meet because of the drought’s severity, her son suggested something be done to alleviate stress in time for Christmas.

“Our school and the broader community who are supporting the Secret Santa Country Kids Christmas Appeal can proudly say they directly impacted the lives of each child and their family this Christmas from the two schools we are supporting.

“To think that kids, just like ours, would go without because of the drought and the financial hardship it has imposed on their families is totally unacceptable. Every child deserves some Christmas cheer.

Pupils ranging in age from prep to Year 12 will receive gifts as part of the appeal.

Each present will be delivered unwrapped in individual Santa sacks to allow for parents to have a sneak peak and wrap the gifts themselves.

The school thanked The Streets Barber, Sportsgirl, Cotton On and Dymocks for their support.