An emotional silence fell over the packed secondary school quadrangle as the clippers buzzed up to shave school librarian/teacher Arwyn Hankinson’s hair. 

As the first locks fell to the ground, the crowd cheered in support of Ms Hankinson who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

“I have  held out from cutting my hair off until Daffodil Day, it’s the perfect occasion for people to acknowledge cancer,” Ms Hankinson said.

“It’s important to talk about cancer, we have a fear of talking about it.” 

Yellow paper chains, balloons and streamers brightly kept the mood of support and strength for all people affected by cancer and students wrote chalk messages of hope and solidarity. 

The school raised over $550 for the Cancer Council and the funds will go towards life-saving cancer research. 

Ms Hankinson, who lives in Bega, said she felt honoured to have such a wonderful supportive school community around her.

School learning support officer Corine Masliah said she was overwhelmed with the unity the whole school community exhibited.

“Cancer will not beat us, we will get through this together,” she said.