St John’s wow the crowd at Riverstone festival

Thirty students from Kindergarten to Year 6 particpated in the annual Riverstone festival

The P&F cake stall proved very popular , selling out of all items on the day

On Saturday 12 May, Riverstone’s annual festival and street parade drew hundreds of visitors to the area with students from St John’s Primary, Riverstone showcasing their talents to the community.

Thirty students from Kindergarten to Year 6 marched in the community parade around the streets of Riverstone, cheered on by the local community. Following the parade, St John’s students took centre stage performing a range of songs including a medley from the Mary Poppins musical.

The St John’s cake stall proved very popular among the community, selling out of all items baked by the Parents and Friends (P&F) Association. Students also handed out balloons and school information packs at the festival, resulting in many prospective families from local preschools enquiring about enrolment.

Principal Marian Bell said the day was a great success.

‘It was a beautiful day and we worked alongside our parishioners who had a craft stall, a religious gifts stall and a delicious BBQ,’ said Marian. ‘As always it was a wonderful opportunity to showcase St John's Primary School to the wider community.’

St John’s also distributed a new bumper sticker – ‘We learning in Riverstone' - as a way to encourage local families to look to their local schools for learning.

Marian said while the school age population has grown by about five percent in recent years, enrolment at local public and Catholic primary schools has decreased by an average of 18 percent (2006-2010).

‘It is a shame that some local families are looking outside the local area for their schooling needs,’ she said. ‘We have great schools, great teachers and a great community in Riverstone and we should be encouraging locals to support their school communities.’

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