Animal Awareness Week 2010
On Tuesday 12th October, the School celebrated Animal Awareness Day. On the day, we had several pets brought to our School in the morning and our students had the opportunity to meet birds, fish, hamsters, rabbits, dogs, cats and even a chipmunk! And we had Fr. Frankie Cini mssp bless the pets and their owners! We also had Senior students giving presentations to younger ones about endangered animal species, animal welfare, rescue stations, etc. Representatives from the Malta Guide Dog Foundation and the Stray Animals Support Group (SASG) came to our School and briefed our upper Junior students about their respective organisations, and how we can all support their good cause.
During the week we had all our students collect 10c coins. On Friday, 15th October, we had all the classes bring their 10c coins and fill part of the graffiti ‘We Love Animals’ specifically formed for the occasion. Our aim was to completely fill in the graffiti; we did not get quite get there, but we do appreciate that some of the classes contributed a considerable amount of the sum of money that was collected. The nice amount of €230 was raised; this money will go in aid of Malta Guide Dog Foundation and the Stray Animals Support Group.
We thank you all for helping us help animal organizations, and we are especially proud of those students who fervently took this up with so much enthusiasm!!
We also had a number of reporters for this event. Here is what some of them wrote:
...by Veronica Campbell (Senior 4)
Tuesday, 12th October marked Animal Awareness Day on the School calendar of St. Catherine’s High School in Pembroke. All the students, starting from the Flutterby Childcare Centre to those in the Senior classes were invited to bring their pets to school on the day. Every student wore a T-shirt portraying an animal-related theme.
In the morning, the parents brought the various pets to school: dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters and even a chipmunk! The highlight of the day for the students was visiting the animals and being allowed to pat them as well as talk to the different owners. All the animals were then blessed by Fr Frankie Cini mssp.
Presentations regarding various interesting topics including animal welfare, abandoned animals and Rescue Stations, as well as endangered species were given by the Senior students to students in the lower levels, whilst interesting documents about all kinds of animals were shown. A book stall was also set up, featuring many books about animals, while colourful charts prepared by the students themselves were displayed in each classroom. Representatives from the Malta Guide Dog Foundation and the Stray Animals Support Group (SASG) briefed the upper Junior students about the work of their respective organisation.
A special activity was held on Friday 15th October during school hours. A mega graffiti with the words ‘We Love Animals’ was drawn within the school premises. However, one must point out that this was a particular graffiti as it was formed with 10 cent coins collected by the students. All the money collected will be donated to organisations working with animals.
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...by Martina Camilleri (Senior 4)
On Monday the 11th October the weather was gloomy but this did not dampen the tangible excitement at St.Catherine’s High School!
The reason for all this excitement was a much anticipated annual event: Animal Awareness Day. Actually, the whole week was dedicated to Animal Awareness, with the 12th of October being the highlight. On this day the students and teachers, wearing animal themed T-shirts weren’t the only ones attending school since their pets could accompany them.
The school grounds became a mini zoo with domestic animals for the day. Pupils from each class took it in turns to visit the animals, and familiarize themselves with the different types and breeds. It was also extremely amusing to learn about a particular pet’s funny habits. Most of the animals present were turtles, cats, rabbits and birds, though the stars of the show were definitely the dogs. A book stall was put up and students could purchase a book about animals or animal welfare.
Colourful and informative posters displayed along the school corridors revealed the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom. Throughout the week there were presentations by the Senior students about animal welfare and endangered species. With discussions on how humans can appreciate and protect fellow creatures.
Ten cent coins were collected and these were used by the students to form a graffiti saying ‘We Love Animals’. The money collected was then donated to an Animal Rights Charity.
It was especially amazing to see the enthusiasm of the younger generation towards the well being of animals.
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...by Edwina Micallef (Senior 4)
The students of Saint Catherine’s High School showed their love for animals on October 12th when they celebrated Animal Awareness Day.
Many parents got their pets to school for all the students to see. Fr Frankie Cini (mssp) came to bless these animals. All kinds of animals were brought: dogs, cats, birds, turtles and rabbits and the parents patiently took care of them.
That morning the Senior students gave presentations to the Junior students about abandoned animals, Rescue Stations, endangered animals and more to help them realize that animals are to be treated with love and care. Charts representing this were made and hung along the school corridors.
The School also organized a fund-raising activity by collecting 10c from all the students, to make a large graffiti saying ‘We Love Animals’ and filling it up with these 10 coins. All the money collected was donated to animal organisations. All the students were wearing a t-shirt representing animals, and their tracksuit trousers. Even the teachers wore an animal themed t-shirt. This was a welcome change for the students. At the end of this special occasion, a book stall about animals was set up and aroused a great interest among the Juniors.
This event was a huge success and put on a smile on many people’s faces. Everyone, young and old, must learn to care for these animals, avoid hurting them, and love them as fellow creatures.
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...by Justine Xuereb (Senior 4)
On Tuesday the 12th of October, St. Catherine’s High School celebrated Animal Awareness Day. Although most of activities took place on this day, other activities were held throughout the week so the students would be aware of animals, their fellow creatures.
On Tuesday, the students were told to come in their P.E. kit trousers or shorts and they could wear a top that represented animals to increase awareness and involve the students in the activities. During the first three lessons, students visited the animals which were brought to school by the parents. There were different kinds of animals: dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits but what drew everybody’s attention was a chipmunk. Luckily it didn’t rain as it would have spoilt everything. The pets which took over the school grounds were blessed by Fr. Frankie Cini (mssp).
The Senior students had the task of finding information about animals, especially endangered species and they displayed the information on charts to present to the Junior students. The highlights of the day were the talks by the local animal welfare organization and documentaries related to animal welfare.
All through the week, children donated a 10c coin to their class teacher so by the end of the week, the students could; build a Mega Graffiti with the words ‘We Love Animals’ with all the 10c coins collected. The sum collected was given to an Animal Rights’ charity. This event was very successful as we learned that animals are important to us and also how we can help protect them.
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...by Dana Falzon (Senior 4)
On Tuesday 12th October, our school Celebrated ‘Animal Awareness Day’. A lot of activities were organised for the whole week to promote animal awareness among the students.
·Students were allowed to wear the P.E. kit with a t-shirt representing animals or animal welfare instead of the usual t-shirt.
·A book stall with books dealing with animals was set up.
·Documentaries and presentations made by students were shown to the Junior pupils. These were about endangered species, animal welfare, abandoned animals and Rescue Stations.
·On the day students were asked to bring their pets. Among animals ‘’attending’’ school were dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits and surprisingly enough a chipmunk! Later that day, the pets were blessed by Fr. Frankie Cini (mssp).
·Between Monday 11th October and Friday 15th October, students were asked to donate 10 cent coins. This small change was used to build a Mega Graffiti with the words ‘We Love Animals’. The money collected from this activity will be donated to an Animal Rights’ Charity.
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