WODONGA Primary School students have been seeing red for weeks.
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Students in years 4, 5 and 6 have learned to crochet poppies with mentors Ruth Corbett and Tolarna Hurle ahead of Remembrance Day on November 11.
Primary welfare officer Susanne Drummond said there was already a connection in place with the wider community.
The school was involved with the Guardian Angels knitting program for children earlier in the year, where beanies and gloves were knitted for children in need.
“Last term, we were connected with the Guardian Angels program,” Mrs Drummond said.
“The children were taught how to knit, and this time we wanted to do something different.”
Mrs Drummond said the school’s principal, Pam Martin, planted the seed.
“She’s an innovator and the ladies jumped at the chance to do it,” she said.
Mrs Drummond said students had developed an important relationship with the community.
“It has been a challenge for the students but they have respect for the ladies who have been volunteering their time to teach them,” she said.
“Kids love trying something new and doing something special and they were focused on what they were doing.”
Mrs Drummond said having left and right-handed crochet teachers posed an initial dilemma.
“It can be quite different but students worked alongside the one that could help them best,” she said.
Ms Corbett and Ms Hurle will this week help finalise the wreath.
“They are coming back for one last session to tie the poppies on,” Mrs Drummond said.
“The school leadership will take the wreath to the ceremony at Woodland Grove.”
Mrs Drummond said parents had smiles when they saw the handiwork.
“Parents have come after school with their children to look at the poppies,” she said.
“Our students are very proud of what they’ve done."
The school also has a strong partnership with defence force families.
“Our chaplain helps supports families if there’s any concerns and helps make sure students are on track,” she said.
“We also acknowledge our soldiers with a silhouette at the front of the school.”
Mrs Drummond was thrilled with what she had witnessed among students and mentors.
“The ladies crocheted beanies for the children in their own time,” she said.
“They loved the interaction with the students and it’s been a real bonding experience for all of them.”
