Cathedral’s Tea Towel Fundraiser Tradition
Since 2013, Cathedral Catholic Primary School in Bathurst, NSW has embraced a heartwarming tradition with Expressions Tea Towels—creating annual tea towel keepsakes that celebrate both the beginning and the end of a student’s primary school journey.
Turning School Moments Into Lasting Memories
Each year, Cathedral creates two designs: one filled with adorable self-portraits from their Kindergarten class, and another with hand-written names or signatures from Year 6 graduates. These tea towels serve as a beautiful way to mark milestones, and they’ve become a beloved tradition for families and staff alike.
How This Fundraiser Works
We spoke with Jodie, the school’s dedicated fundraising coordinator, who shared what makes their project shine:
- The P&C team organises the fundraiser every year.
- It’s aimed specifically at Kindy and Year 6 students as a personal memento.
- Minimal markup ensures affordability, making it more about memories than margins, yet it's still a profitable school fundraiser.
According to Jodie, it’s been a consistent success because it’s easy to run, loved by families, and backed by great support from Expressions.
Simple Promotions, Strong Results
Promotion is key to participation. Cathedral uses a multi-channel approach to ensure everyone hears about the tea towel fundraiser:
- Printed order forms sent home via student school bags
- Order form uploaded to the digital school newsletter
- Posters displayed in the Kindy and Year 6 classrooms
- Teachers reminded students and encouraged parent involvement
Plus, the school proudly features past years’ tea towels framed on a special memory wall in their library, a constant reminder of community, creativity, and connection.
Why Schools Across Australia Choose Expressions
Cathedral School isn’t alone. Across Australia, schools are turning to Expressions for tea towel fundraising ideas that are simple, sentimental, and sustainable. With inclusive design options like group portraits, individual artworks, or class lists, our projects are fully customisable to suit your community's goals.
Whether you’re raising funds for new equipment, excursions, or simply celebrating your students, our school fundraising solutions are tried, tested, and loved by thousands of schools nationwide.
Make It a Tradition at Your School
There’s a reason so many schools keep coming back: the process is easy, the quality is top-tier, and the end product becomes a treasured family keepsake. If you're looking for fundraising idea for schools that are meaningful and manageable, Cathedral’s story is the perfect inspiration.
💡 Ready to Create Your Own Tradition?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a tea towel fundraiser cost?
There’s no upfront cost to run a tea towel fundraiser with Expressions. You only pay for the products ordered, check our Pricing & Profit Guide for full details.
Can we customise our tea towel design?
Absolutely! Choose from a wide range of borders, colours, fonts, and artwork styles. From student portraits to school songs, your design is uniquely yours.
Is there a minimum order?
Yes there is a minimum order of 40 for group designs, this works for both small and big schools. Bonus tea towels are also available through our Early Bird promotions (Jan-July). Please note for designs with 250+ drawings there is a minimum order of 100 units.
How do we collect student artwork?
We provide pre cut paper & pens and clear guides to help you every step of the way. You can also access editable order forms and posters from our Info & Forms page for marketing.
Can we frame or reuse the tea towels?
Definitely! Many schools, like Cathedral, frame their tea towels as part of their school decor. They're also practical, long-lasting gifts that grandparents love.