THERE were plenty of smiles adorning the faces of students and visitors alike at the recent Scone Grammar School (SGS) Grandparents' Day.
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The grounds were initially flooded with doting family members eager to see what the students were up to.
Whether it was the school choristers singing up a storm or the hospitality pupils providing a sumptuous range of delicacies and beverages, everyone was having a great time.
The SGS Parents and Friends-funded central garden beautification area was the focus of activities where eager students met up with their grandparents.
While some of them immediately led their respective families to their classrooms, others chose to stay a little longer in the multi-purpose room, mingling with other families, as they enjoyed all the home-made offerings of cakes and sandwiches brought in by parents and friends.
The SGS students also enlisted the help of their guests in other activities where beaming grandparents could be seen participating in dancing, modified cricket and "throw-the-bag into the hoop".
Principal Paul Smart was an attentive host and appreciative of what appeared to be a record turnout.
"It's so wonderful to see the joy in the faces of the all people here today," he said.
"The connection between the young people and all the visitors, it's simply wonderful."
Grandparents like local Merriwa farmer Robert Gill were also impressed.
"We have nine grandchildren and we've never missed a single Grandparents' Day," he said.
"It's great to see how they've progressed each 12 months.
"It's a terrific school."
Another grandparent with a spotless attendance record was Anne Bishop.
"We only have the one granddaughter left at SGS and we've been coming to Grandparents' Day since... forever," she said.
Some grandparents were amazed at how the typical classroom has changed, wi-fi, computer tablets and smart boards are now all seamlessly combined to help prepare students for life as adults in the outside world where technological proficiency is a must.
Bunnan locals Brian and Betty Saunders have eight grandchildren and also attended Grandparents' Day every year.
"It's lovely to see all the class activities and how they're educated," they said.
"I used to ride to school every day and nowadays kids are educated so differently."
Head of primary Damien Saunders was also impressed by the number of grandparents attending.
"We really are encouraged with our Kindergarten numbers this year," he said.
"I know that a lot of parents did their homework and research before deciding that SGS would be the best fit for their child.
"Our staff works hard to create an engaging environment.
"The result is a happy child who loves to come to school and take a risk with their learning."
The students were eventually allowed to accompany their visitors to lunch, outside of school, much to the delight of people like Paul and Val Leary who had travelled from Narromine.
"Grandparents' Day is special - it's about being with your grandchildren," they added.