Royal smile

By Melissa Meehan
A NEW eco-friendly school building inspired by Danish technology was the hook that brought Princess Mary to town, but the overwhelming support from onlookers was what brought a smile to the princess’ face.
More than 100 onlookers lined at the school gates of Pakenham Springs Primary School where the Princess was part of the official opening of the new building.
Princess Mary attended a school assembly along with 700 students at the school and then inspected the new ‘Envi’ building fitted with Danish technology to reduce energy consumption by better controlling its internal temperature.
Principal Colin Sloper said the new building would use less air conditioning, a wind catcher, automatic windows and air monitoring systems, and was built with green thinking in mind.
“It is cutting edge technology,” Mr Sloper said.
Grade 6 students Calvin and Rhiannah welcomed Princess Mary to the school, saying they were delighted that she could be part of the opening before Prep students Liam and Skye presented the Princess with a bouquet of flowers.
Dressed in a white skirt and tan and green blouse, the Australian-born Princess waved at students and teachers and even shook the hands of all Prep students.
Five-year-old Kiara, waiting outside the school gates, dressed as a princess said it was pretty cool to see a princess in Pakenham.
Asked about her time in Pakenham, Princess Mary said, “it is lovely and so are the people”, before getting into her car and heading back to Melbourne.