Dural Public School pupil Jaya Saunders has said goodbye to her waist-length hair and raised more than $2000 through the effort.
The year 6 pupil was inspired to take part in the Leukaemia Foundation World’s Greatest Shave after her grandfather Earl died of a brain cancer.
‘‘My pop died last year of cancer,’’ she said.
‘‘I just wanted to do a good deed and raise money to help find a cure for people with cancer.’’
Jaya said her friends and family were supportive of her choice.
Her mother, grandmother and peers looked on as her pigtails were cut off and her head shaved in the school’s hall on Tuesday.
‘‘It took about 15 minutes to do my hair,’’ she said.
‘‘At the time it was nerve-racking but afterwards it felt pretty good.’’
Teacher Justin Field and male pupils including Fletcher Byrne, Jude Reeve, Balin Johnson, Ethan Reiss, Tayne Reade, Diego Napoli and Lucas McArthur also shaved their heads.
Principal Milly Stone praised Jaya’s effort, which raised $2340 for the Leukaemia Foundation.
‘‘It was a selfless act,’’ she said.
‘‘Jaya came to me at the beginning of the year and asked if the school would support her.
‘‘She has amazing hair and what an amazing heart.’’