Kilmore Primary School’s longstanding colour run returned earlier this month for the first time since COVID, raising money for the school while making a colourful mess.
The school’s oval was set up in an obstacle course with staff operating various stations around the loop, some with coloured powder dye and others with water to douse students as they ran laps.
Almost $30,000 was raised through the fundraising efforts of students, both through donations from family and friends, and community sponsorships ahead of the run, which will be put towards literacy resources for 2024 and a refresh of the school’s basketball courts.
Sports coordinator Jacqui Nelson said the colour run was a welcome addition to the school calendar after the past few years.
“We’re just hoping that [the students] get back into the spirit of things after COVID because there hasn’t been a lot happening, so it’s just good to see the smiles on their faces,” she said.
“They’ve done a really good job with it.”
The run was originally planned for term one this year, however when plans fell through it was decided it would be better placed ahead of the Melbourne Cup long weekend.
Students took on the obstacle course in year level groups, starting with plain white clothes and ending with a colourful array of dye powder and water – followed by a slime event in the afternoon.
“Some of them are complaining that there is colour powder in their mouth, in their ears and in their nose, but I’m sure they’ll get over it,” Ms Nelson said.
Principal Neil O’Sullivan said it was encouraging to see the school return to some of the events of the past.
“This is our first time post-COVID that we’ve had the colour run, so it’s been good to get back into that space of reconnecting with our old events,” he said.
“It’s just a fabulous opportunity to reconnect with the community and to build some community spirit and engagement through events like this.
“It’s going really well and we’re happy to be able to do these things again.”
