School's scarecrows feature famous faces

LET DOWN YOUR HAIR: Abi Gibb, 8, Ruby Hammond, 7, Kayla Klue, 7, and Hannah Gardner, 7, with their Rapunzel scarecrow.

Gladstone School pupils have lined a fence of their school with a fine crop of 35 scarecrows - some rightfully imperious and others downright political - ahead of the upcoming Gladstone Scarecrow Fair.

Principal Margaret Hyslop said students at the school brainstormed their designs around a Princes, Princesses and Politicians theme and parents had descended on the school on Tuesday morning and then helped construct the small army of scarecrows yesterday.

The scarecrows navigated a character list of fairy tales like Rapunzel, sons of the House of Windsor like Prince Harry and straw likenesses of Prime Minister John Key and internet entrepreneur and political party founder Kim Dotcom.

"They took over 80 pairs of pantyhose, two coils of lacing wire, a maxi-bale of straw and a truckload of enthusiasm from our parents and families.

"There were lots of parents, lots of fun and lots of straw. It's a lovely country ethic and I guess it's become our brand. We're known for our scarecrows."

The creations will grace the school fence until the annual Gladstone Scarecrows Big Day Out on November 8, the major fundraiser on the school calendar that was founded through the Friends of Gladstone School (Fogs ).

According to the school website, the Fogs group was formed in 1995 to help the school "with fundraising for special purchases and to organise other events to bring the school community together".

The group has, to date, helped bring about painting, lighting and seating for the school hall, a refurbished kitchen, a pod of laptop computers, sports equipment, contributions to senior camps "and many other wonderful resources that support student learning".

The Scarecrow Fair runs at the school from 9.30am to 2pm on November 8 and also will include The Scarecrow Drive, Scarecrows on the Gobbler, and the Scarecrow Scamper.