The hundreds of items of non-perishable food and other groceries were presented to Tamworth regional councillor Juanita Wilson.

Calrossy Anglican School head of primary Robert Black said it was “really indicative of the community’s generosity”.

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“The idea came from a mixture of staff and students wanting to do something to show our support for farmers during the drought,” he said.

“It was a whole-school initiative; preschool to Year 12.”

The younger students had an out-of-uniform Farmer Friday for a donation, and their families donated groceries.

Secondary students also raised money through a cake stall, dance and come-dressed-as-a-farmer day.

“Their activities were really spurred by the secondary students, who went to the principal and suggested what they’d like to do,” Mr Black said.

“It was lovely to see that community spirit.”

Mr Black said the boarding school had many students from the western NSW area, which was particularly badly affected by the drought.

He said it was clear the conditions and stresses back home were affecting the youngsters.

“The impact on kids worrying about Mum and Dad; worrying about what going on at home with the drought, it certainly impacts the students,” he said.