“LET’S all do the conga” were the cries from hundreds of Johnstone children in 2009. 

St Margaret’s Primary School held its annual fundraising event that year, to coincide with Hallowe’en.

In the past the school held sponsored hula-hoop and assault courses, but a decade ago it decided to do something completely different. 

The round-the-block sponsored conga was to help raise money for school funds to cover costs like Christmas parties and panto outings for the children. 

The Gazette:

That year the school was going to attend the panto, Sleeping Beauty, performed by PACE. 

The 221 children caused quite a stir in Buchanan Street area as neighbours came out to watch the pupils, all dressed in their Hallowe’en costumes, conga round the block. 

Luckily the rain held off long enough for the children to get round the street and back into the school. 

Acting head teacher, Gillian Miller, was delighted that the children had so much fun. 

She said at the time: “It is a whole children community event and all the money raised goes back to the children. 

The Gazette:

“It covers costs of Christmas parties and pantomimes so costs are not passed back to the parents. 

“Teachers were dressed up as well.

“It is something a bit different and gives the children something to remember.” 

The entertainment continued all throughout the week as the pupils turned up to school in fancy dress and had lots of Hallowe’en activities to enjoy. 

The pupils also had lots of fun at their Hallowe'en party as they danced, jived, and sung their way through spooktacular hits. 

The Gazette:

Gillian added: “A really good day was had by all.”

The next big event for the school was the Christmas Shoebox Appeal. 

The children were being asked to fill a shoebox to send to a child. 

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