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<\/p>\nSTUDENTS and staff at a Bacchus Marsh primary school capped off a unique way of raising funds for the fight against cancer last week, in honour of a beloved teacher with the disease.<\/p>\n
St Bernard’s Parish Primary School held a Hats On For Mrs Battaglia day on Wednesday 29 May, as part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.<\/p>\n
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School principal, Mary Sarah Galbraith, said it was wonderful to see the school community get onboard such a worthy cause, and support a long-serving teacher.<\/p>\n
“It was a really fun day. The children responded so beautifully to it,” Ms Galbraith said.<\/p>\n
“We were thinking about the best way we could show solidarity with Tonena [Battaglia]. Due to her treatment, she’s had hair loss, and wears a hair wrap or hat.<\/p>\n
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“We thought, well, if that was what she wears, what was the best way we could show we love her, and how could we best be with her in this moment?<\/p>\n
“Mrs Battaglia is a much-loved member of our community, and so we decided to wear a hat in her honour.<\/p>\n
“We had everything from Easter hats, country western hats, furry pink cowboy hats, and monster hats.<\/p>\n
“It’s the first year we’ve done it, and the students and staff were so enthusiastic.”<\/p>\n
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Despite going through the difficult time of cancer treatment, Ms Galbraith said Mrs Battaglia was the kind of person that “never thinks about herself”.<\/p>\n
“She’s been with us for about 23 years now; she’s gorgeous.<\/p>\n
“Her whole focus is somebody else always; she’s never thinking about herself. Even on special days, if she’s feeling well, she’ll come in for an hour or two.”<\/p>\n
About $1,100 was raised during Hats On For Mrs Battaglia day, partially through an auction and raffle.<\/p>\n
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STUDENTS and staff at a Bacchus Marsh primary school capped off a unique way of raising funds for the fight against cancer last week, in honour of a beloved teacher with the disease. St Bernard’s Parish Primary School held a Hats On For Mrs Battaglia day on Wednesday 29 May, as part of Australia’s Biggest […]<\/p>\n