Schoolkids go green for St Patrick's Day

SHANE COWLISHAW/The Southland Times

DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION: St Joseph's School ruru class pupils celebrate St Patrick's Day by dressing in green.

Wintry winds were not enough to slow St Patrick's Day celebrations in Queenstown yesterday as a swarm of green overran the resort.

At St Joseph's Primary School in Queenstown, principal Trich Inder said the pupils had been allowed to dress in green for a gold coin donation and had raised $200.50 for Catholic charity Caritas, to be distributed in Tonga.

The pupils had enjoyed dressing up and learning about the history of St Patrick's Day, she said.

For 6-year-old Anika Moetaua, dressing up was definitely the fun part. "It's (green) my favourite boys' colour. My favourite girls' colour is red," she said.

Down at the Pig & Whistle, Irish paraphernalia was everywhere and the Guinness was flowing freely by lunchtime.

English staff member Adwina Gould said St Patrick's Day was the best day of the year and where she was born was not going to stop her celebrating.

"I can be Irish for the day, no worries," she said.

Irishwoman Mairead Affleck, who lives in Waikaka with her partner Chris, arrived in Queenstown yesterday on their annual pilgrimage.

Missing family and friends was the worst part of being away for the occasion, but everything else was much the same, she said. "Occasionally it does (get sad). I hope the tunes don't get too sad, that's why you don't drink gin," she said.

In Alexandra, St Gerard's Primary School pupils celebrated St Patrick's Day Kiwi-style.

On the date the snake-charming patron saint of Ireland is believed to have died, the youngsters were told about his life, including his kidnapping by pirates when he was 16, and the lizard legend, in which the British-born saint supposedly rid the isle of serpents.

Emma Kelliher, 6, of Alexandra, said she knew all about the saint's six years in captivity and his return to Ireland to preach.

Zeph Middendorf, 6, of Alexandra, said he believed Patrick was a nice man and someone on God's side. "He was kidnapped and taken to Ireland. And he was a slave," he said.

The youngsters made green icing for biscuits, paper hats, bookmarks and beards before enjoying bowls of green jelly and mint ice cream.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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