The grade is undertaking a myriad of fund-raising efforts that has included a blanket drive, a food drive, clothing drive, donations and even knitting blankets. 

All the items and proceeds were donated to the Maitland St Vincent De Paul ­conference, who will ­distribute them to needy ­people in the community.

Principal Doug Garnett said he was proud of the efforts made by his students and said representatives from St Vincent’s had filled their ­collection truck to the brim.

“This year’s probably our biggest, we have 22 kids in the team this year who have been very enthusiastic,” Mr Garnett said.

“I didn’t expect huge amounts of donations, but we were inundated with good quality, often brand new ­blankets.”

The school’s religious ­education co-ordinator Karli Chennery said participation in the Winter and Christmas Appeals held educational as well as civic value. 

“[The appeal] makes them aware of what’s happening in their local community,” Ms Chennery said.

“It also forms part of the community outreach part of our society that we’re trying to teach them about.

“And it fits with our Catholic ethos within the school.”

The school will participate in the Christmas appeal in December and is considering moves to open the program to year 5 students after they showed an interest in joining their older peers.

St Vincent de Paul Society collects donations to help the two million Australians who live below the poverty line, a quarter of whom are children. 

The Winter Appeal offers more than immediate help, targeting long-term solutions to those who face issues such as domestic violence, homelessness, ­under-employment and under-nutrition. The Winter Appeal calls on members of the community to make donations, principally of food and blankets, but also clothing and tax-deductible sums of money.