Holy Cross school’s festival float a pearler

SIX weeks of cutting, gluing and painting will be on public display this Saturday when 400 Holy Cross Catholic Primary School students, teachers and parents take part in Cairns Festival’s Grand Parade.

The Trinity Park school’s sea-themed float dubbed Pearl of the Northern Beaches will feature a giant clam made from household insulation and a shimmering pearl inside.

Teachers Brad Henry, Jo Burnett and Coralie Stefanovic have co-ordinated the massive project.

“I’ve sat on the sidelines for two years and watched the parade and thought we should have been a part,” Mr Henry said.

“This year Holy Cross will celebrate its 30th anniversary so we thought it was fitting to have a pearl – pearls are the traditional gift for couples married for 30 years.”

Tayah Brooks, 7, said the most difficult part of building the float was collecting hundreds of cardboard boxes, egg cartons, plastic bottles and pieces of cellophane and tissue paper.

Year Bulkua 5 student Wesley helped make cardboard sharks and said he was excited to take part in his first Grand Parade.

The parade will kick off at 5.30pm, followed by fireworks and a concert.

More than 3200 participants, 20 dogs and 87 floats are expected to take over the Esplanade. www.newhorizonsvillas.com.au 60-66 ISHMAEL ROAD EARLVILLE

Picture: ANNA ROGERS FINE FLOAT: Holy Cross School students Wesley Bulkua, 10, Sophie Reynolds, 8, Ronan Burnett, 10 and Tayah Brooks, 7, with the float the school has built for the Cairns Festival grand parade featuring an oyster with a pearl to celebrate the school's...