Classes 5 & 6 had a wonderful experience in a workshop about animals. We got to meet 4 animals; a giant stick insect (insect), a frog (amphibian), a bearded dragon (reptile) and a polecat (mammal). The handler, Marie, explained to the class about the individual animals including their age, habitat and adaptations to their environment. The children had the opportunity to stroke or hold the animals to look closer at their features. The class also could see some of the scales that the bearded dragon had shed and were taught how to appropriately handle animals. Nellie P was allowed to feed the polecat, Faye, when it woke up. Everyone had a wonderful time and a memorable experience. Thank you to Marie for visiting! Miss Downer

      

  

First up were some eggs that looked like sunflower seeds, but were actually stick insect eggs! Then Marie showed us two-week-old baby stick insects. We met a full-sized stick insect named Sticky and she passed him around allowing us to hold him. Marie chose a person to have a photo holding the animal. Harry was chosen to have a photo with Sticky and it climbed up on to his face! The next animal was a White's tree frog that is a species from Australia and it was called Skippy. Marie allowed us to stroke Skippy, which felt surprisingly, and at the same time unsurprisingly, sticky! We were next shown a bearded dragon named Rocky. We were allowed to stroke Rocky on his back, side spikes and and beard. We was so cute with his dark, deep eyes! I was the person lucky enough to hold him. His species is one of the most common exotic pets in Britain. Then final animal was a polecat; a very vicious animal in the wild but a different story in a domesticated home where they can be a friendly and flexible pet. Theank you to Mr Coupe and Miss Downer for organising this great experience for us. by Sidney, Class 6