Tinonee Public School Kidpreneurs raise money for Manning River turtle

The theme was the Manning River helmeted turtle, as all of the money raised on the day will go toward conservation efforts for the turtle.

Australian Reptile Park and Aussie Ark general manager, Tim Faulkner was invited to attend but he apologised, already having other commitments. He will, however, be coming to the school, with a 'real live' Manning River turtle, next term.

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Cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and toffees, all made by students, lollies and a doughnut challenge were filling bellies. Physical activities took place via nerf wars in the darkened school hall, building turtles in the sand pits, the 'Turtle Run' obstacle course.

For the more arty students, they could take part in helping create a string art work depicting the Manning River Turtle Conservation Group's logo, which will be donated to the group, or drawing chalk turtles on the concrete floor of the school's eating area.

All students took part in a Manning River turtle colouring in competition created by year six student, Jai Wakeling who presented the awards at an assembly before the fun got underway, after a talk to the school by Manning River Turtle Conservation Group member, Clare Rourke.

The treasure hunt had a line up at the door, and some students, both girls and boys, elected to have their fingernails painted.

The stall that completely sold out of goods not long after the Fun Day started was a Kidprenenur project selling Manning River turtle keyrings, bracelets, pencil toppers and necklaces. Four year six boys spent their own personal time at home creating 80 of these items out of Fimo and Sculpey to produce a professional looking product. Most of their stock was presold. Teacher's aide Robyn Agnew was one of the people to place a bulk order, as she bought up big to put them aside for gifts.

The Kidpreneur program encourages children to start their own microbusiness, and entails thing such as preparing business plans, doing a work and safety check and coordinating and running their own business.

"It's really good for these kids to step out of their comfort zones and organise something, co-ordinate and communicate. They've done a really good job," year six teacher, Jo Elliott said.