IT'S not every day Andrew Edwards drops off daughter Carys at school and collects breakfast at the same time.
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With COVID-19 restrictions meaning schools can't welcome families or non-essential visitors onto their grounds, St Joseph's Primary at Kilaben Bay had to think outside the box about how to mark Father's Day.
It usually hosts a breakfast and liturgy on site.
Principal Charlene Reid said the school decided after a similar Mother's Day event to host a drive-through breakfast, playing music and presenting dads and important men in students' lives with 130 bacon and egg sandwiches and biscuits in paper bags decorated by students.
"St Joseph's strives to build strong relationships with mothers, fathers and carers," she said.
"Therefore, we didn't want to let a significant day like Father's Day go unrecognised.
"Most parents work full time these days, and many don't have a lot of time to visit the school regularly. By celebrating days like Mother's Day and Father's Day, we can connect with the families."
Mr Edwards said he'd missed visiting for assemblies and awards presentations.
"We go to pick the kids up and drop them off but it's also nice to have a bit of fun with that rather than just in a queue of cars waiting to get in and out."
Carys has prepared a "magic card" for him, but he said she was already a "very special gift".
"It's amazing watching her grow and change and turn into this little young person."
He said he tried to be an involved dad "in a loving and caring supportive environment, encouraging her to do and be whatever she wants to be, while also having those moral and ethical boundaries".
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Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
