Farmyard Fun at St Mary’s School

The children at St Mary’s School were delighted to welcome back Basil & Crew farm last Friday where they got to pet a donkey, pony, goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Catherine Yoxall said, “The children have been really excited to have the farm return,  They have learned how to feed them, stroke them and how to be kind.  It’s been a  really nice way to start the term and it’s really good for them to be able to get up close to the animals.  From the young nursery children who absolutely loved the animals right up to our Year 6 children who have also been fascinated by them.”

Huxford, aged 8 said, “It’s quite exciting. My favourite animals are the bunnies because they are really soft and they lick your hands when you try to feed them. I don’t like the big animals so much.” Ava added, “I wasn’t here the last time as I was ill so it’s my first time and my favourite animals are also the bunnies.  At the moment we don’t have any animals at home but we might get 2 cats.  We’ve learnt how to feed animals by keeping our hands flat like a dinner plate.”

Teacher, Miss Wilkinson said, “I think what is really nice is the children have to be really calm and have to be respectful and they need to think about the animals.  One child just asked if they could lift up the tunnel where the guinea pig was and we discussed why the guinea pig was under there and why it is a safe space for him.  It’s about  understanding boundaries.  It’s also nice for them to do something different.”