There was no better way to finish the school year for Year 4 students from Beenleigh State School and Guardian Angel’s Primary School yesterday, as more than 150 students helped celebrate the final SHINE Carnival for 2013.

For the past four weeks, students aged 10-12 have been learning the importance of healthy eating, beach safety and the benefits of staying active by participating in recreation sport such as AFL through the Gold Coast SUNS SHINE Carnival.

The program is delivered via a three-way partnership between the GC SUNS, City of Gold Coast and AFL Queensland, and has received a strong outpour of support from school communities across the Gold Coast since it’s inclusion to the Grade 4 school curriculum in 2011.

Jackson Allen, Alex Sexton, Timmy Sumner and rookie-forward Josh Hall mingled with the visiting students, immersing themselves in the fun as they took students through a variety of handballing and kicking drills.

GC SUNS Community Programs Officer – Tim Mackrill, told goldcoastfc.com.au the final SHINE Carnival for the year had been a huge success.

“The SHINE Carnival Day was a huge success and enjoyed by all students and staff, seeing the students leave with a smile on their face and the autographs of their GC SUNS idols again typifies the value of the day.”

“Memories of visiting the Gold Coast SUNS and Metricon Stadium will be forever etched in these children’s memories as they look back on their Year 4 studies.”

“2013 saw more than 2500 students take part in the program which has been great to see and we are looking forward to working closely with our program’s schools to continue the development of valuable life lessons for students in grade four on the Gold Coast”

If you would like to learn more about the program, or request a booking for the SHINE schools program, contact GC SUNS Community Programs Officer Tim Mackrill at tim.mackrill@goldcoastfc.com.au.

*Please note, the SHINE program for 2014 is heavily booked and only limited spaces remain.