How we welcomed the baton

By Lucas Russell, Year 5, Holy Cross School

WE had a ripper of a day on March 16.

The Queen’s Baton Relay came to Holy Cross School and there were eight Baton bearers.

The final runner was from St Andrews and she was in Year 7.

Did you know that the baton is made out of recycled plastic collected from the ocean and macadamia wood?

Energy from the baton bearers is detected and lights up with LED lights on the edges.

Each class at Holy Cross adopted a Commonwealth country and we made flags that we waved along with our Australian flags as the baton passed by.

The baton went all across the world, visiting all the Commonwealth countries including the Bahamas, India and New Zealand.

We worked really hard all across the school to make lots of flags and decorations for our doors to make a warm welcome for all the baton bearers and believe me it was just so exciting.

As the baton was paraded at our school the whole school sang, I Am Australian. It was a very moving occasion.

Afterwards Lachlan Christie, Year 5, and Layla Geck, Year 6, led a question and answer segment with all the baton bearers. It was interesting to hear what it was like to be nominated and how heavy the baton was.

There was a triathlete, Nick Carling, a scout master and students from schools who were part of the relay.

Mr Carling spoke about what he wanted students to remember about today and reminded us how lucky we are to live in Cairns.