At St Clare College Sliema Boys’ Junior Lyceum the Eko-skola activities for this scholastic year started on 19 October with an Animal Awareness Day. The aim was to make students aware that the animals around them, in all their innocence and simplicity, really are man’s best friend.
The students prepared charts and posters which were put on display for everyone to admire. For the day itself, the students had to get their pets to school. This was such a treat for the boys that, in fact, the school was host to guinea pigs, tortoises, birds, rabbits, fish, dogs and even a chipmunk! Parents were invited to join their sons for the special assembly.
The day started with a short talk by the school head Louise Azzopardi on the relationship between humans and animals and on the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect. Following this, St Clare Religious Counsellor Fr Faust Ellul, read a short story on how animals are unaffected by appearances and love their master unconditionally and without pretensions. Later, he blessed the students’ pets.
The students were then called to talk briefly about their pets. One student, Leander Lanzon, told of how he managed to rescue his pet cat. Before concluding, the head of school presented Christian Chircop with a certificate for submitting the best animal awareness poster using only recycled material.
Later, the Police Dog Section of the Malta Police Force carried out simulation exercises, the intention of which was to acquaint the students with the service these dogs provide to society. The impressive silent command display showed the degree to which the dogs obey their masters, following every order and ignoring all distractions, and demonstrating how well-trained, focused and intelligent these creatures are. After the silent command display, the police officers carried out a simulation chase that further demonstrated the obedience of the dogs, followed by agility exercises, including jumping in and out of fire hurdles, which showed how crucial the animals can be in life-saving situations.
In the afternoon, Ms Sylvia Zammit from the Island Sanctuary gave a talk to the students in which she stressed that all animals need love, attention and a caring environment. She was accompanied by Hero, a former stray pit bull terrier, who happily wagged his tail while the students patted him.
The day provided a wonderful opportunity to instil in the students some very important values, including love, care and respect towards animals. The students enjoyed this school day with a difference, where visuals and first-hand experience replaced the more traditional lessons for a memorable educational event.