A VISIT from the parish priest, letters of gratitude to school support staff and parents, displays focussed on the theme "A learning adventure, a journey in faith" and a free pizza lunch with family and friends were all part of NSWCatholic School's Week celebrations at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, Bowral.

Teachers and students also wrapped up the celebrations last week in festive spirit as they donned including the Catholic project compassion Caritas and the Queensland Flood Appeal.

The $5 Challenge has become a popular annual fundraising event for Year five students who device various ideas to raise money for charity.

The students work in groups and are each give $5 to invest in their fundraising concept with the ultimate aim to make even more money from their initial investment.

Colouring in competitions, milk shake, donut and other food sales, guessing competitions and ball games were just some of the creative ways the young entrepreneurs boosted the charitable coffers.

The students raised more than $1200 for charity.