IN every classroom at St Augustine's Primary School, Currumbin Waters, hangs a very special wooden cross.
The crosses, 30 in all, were made by a teacher who spent 35 years instilling a love of learning and a heart of hope into thousands of students who passed through the Catholic school.
Assistant Principal for Religious Education Diane Anderson said in mid-2017 an idea was floated to teacher Con Pizzol as to whether, over a two-year period, he could see his way clear to make the 30 wooden crosses.
Diane said the crosses were then meant to be painted and decorated to reflect the character of St Augustine's as a coastal school.
“In his usual enthusiastic way, the following week the 30 crosses appeared in my office ready to be completed," she said.
Sadly, for St Augustine's, Con passed away in December of 2017 and the crosses sat where he had left them, waiting for the right moment in time to be completed.
As the first anniversary of his passing approached the time was right and during the 2018 Christmas period the crosses were painted and made ready for the beginning of the 2019 school year.
Diane said when the school community came together to celebrate Mass to start the new school year and welcome new and returning staff and families Coolangatta-Tugun Parish Priest Fr John Scarrott blessed the crosses.
“We gave thanks for being part of such a welcoming school and for the care shown to each other," she said.
“Then our Year 6 leaders presented the crosses to the school community.
“Following the welcome Mass our teachers were invited to go to our chapel and select a cross for their room.
Diane said the special crosses, now known as 'Con's Crosses,' had helped staff to feel a closeness to a dear friend and colleague in the ongoing celebration of his life and the love he had for St Augustine's School.
“His 35 years of teaching at St Augustine's is remarkable, and he has left a great legacy for our school, which also includes the gardens in the courtyard," she said.