THE usual classroom greeting of ‘good morning sir’ was replaced with ‘g’day sport’ during a special day of activities at a Swindon school.

Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, in Upham Road, was flying the flag from down under for a day of activities for Australia Day, giving pupils an insight into the country’s sights, sounds and more.

Headteacher Tony McAteer said: “As a school we try to do about six international days each year.

“It helps children learn to respect other cultures and traditions. We want to raise their awareness of their national and international identity.”

Activities running throughout the day included learning about Australian landmarks, Aboroginal art, making boomerangs and even sampling Australian cuisine, with a lunch menu including the likes of barbecued snags – sausages.

Tony said the event had gone down well with youngsters, who were encouraged to swap their uniforms for traditional Australian dress or clothes in the Aussie colours for the day.

“Whenever you ask children what they like about school they always say the international days,” he said.

Australia Day is an official holiday down under today, January 26.

Other international days at the school each year include a German Day, an Irish Day, a French Day and a Chinese Day.