Volunteers add sparkle to Clifford Park Special School formal through Project School Formal

It’s one of the biggest nights in a young person’s life. And when this mum saw her daughter this afternoon, she burst into tears.

Anna-bellah Brown was having the final touches applied to her hair when her mum Leah Golding walked into Jazzy Lane Hair Studio this afternoon.

“Oh my God, she looks amazing,” Mrs Golding said as she burst into tears of happiness at the sight of her daughter, all glammed up and ready for the Clifford Park Special School formal tonight.

Students from Clifford Park Special School, who will have their senior formal tonight, have hair and make up done at Jazzy Lane. Anna-bellah Brown has the finishing touches put to her hair by Project School Formal founder Gay Hold.

Every year for the past five years, hairdressers and beauticians donate their time and expertise to local initiative Project School Formal, doing make-up and hair for students ahead of their formal celebrations.

Today, it was the turn of four girls from Clifford Park Special School.

Wiping away tears from her eyes, Mrs Golding thanked the volunteers for their help.

“I think she looks amazing. I’m probably going to cry all night,” she said.

“We’re really thankful.”

Doing the girls’ hair and make-up is the final part of Project School Formal, which has been helping youngsters in need get the look they’re after for their big night since 2015.

Students from Clifford Park Special School, who will have their senior formal tonight, have hair and make up done at Jazzy Lane. Back, left; Hermione Hensley, Anna-bellah Brown. Front; Monica Troutman and Krystina Carr.

The initiative provides everything a young person might need for their formal – from dresses and suits to shoes and belts and more – for free.

And it’s all donated by the community.

So far this year, Project School Formal founder Gay Hold estimated they’d provided more than 500 outfits to school-leavers for their formal.

But today was the “best day of the year” for Ms Hold.

Students from Clifford Park Special School, who will have their senior formal tonight, have hair and make up done at Jazzy Lane. Hairdresser, Regan Stiles with student Krystina Carr.

“So we’ve got the TAFE students and teachers here doing hair and makeup, and supporting us we’ve got amazing beauticians and hair dressers, and of course the Jazzy Lane team as well,” she said.

“The biggest thing is to make (the students) feel like princesses for the day.”

Clifford Park Special School teacher aide and formal co-ordinator Anita Paine said it was an exciting day for the girls.

“It’s been a massive year for our gradates with COVID-19 and them not being sure if they can graduate,” she said.

“But we’re here and we’re celebrating and we’re getting our hair and make-up done … and they’re so excited.

“They’ve been excited for weeks and weeks.”