School Pets
Tortellini - our school tortoise
A tortoise's calm and predictable nature can provide a soothing presence, helping to reduce stress and anxiety for students, offering emotional support, particularly to those who may feel overwhelmed.
Tortellini is a Hermann’s tortoise, native to southern Europe, with warm dry summers and mild, wet winters. In the wild, Hermann’s tortoises would often be found in rocky open habitats, as well as in forests and near the coast.
Tortellini is about 6 years old. During term time, she lives in her enclosure in the Staff Room. We need to replicate the conditions she would have in the wild, so she has a UVB light strip and a lamp that provides heat and UVA light. She has a shallow water pool, various rocks, a wooden bridge for climbing, plants and 2 hides.
Her favourite foods are nasturtium leaves and flowers, sow thistle, dandelion leaves, bind weed, herb robert and sedum.
The highlights of her week include hanging out with the Breakfast Club children, going down to the field for breaktime (during the warmer months), catching up with teachers during her lunchtime soak in her “hot tub” in the Staff Room, showing off her climbing skills over her bridge and greeting everyone who stops to say “hello” with a nod of her head.
Although she is often seen sitting basking under her lamp, she is actually quite fast on her feet. Her favourite exercise is chasing feet, especially those wearing white shoes or socks!
School Dog
Amber, Our School Dog
Amber is a golden retriever and she has been our family dog since she was 15 weeks old and is now 12 years old. She was born in December 2012 and comes from a long line of Golden retrievers who have been used as guide dogs. She was chosen to be both my family dog and, following discussions with governors, a school dog. Other local schools have or have had “school dogs” (notably Winford, Churchill, Flax Bourton Primary and Backwell Primary).
Golden retrievers are by nature gentle and friendly creatures and Amber was selected for her gentle, calm and affectionate personality. She has already become quite a popular member of the school community. She loves children!
Amber comes to school occasionally as she gets worried when when she is in a car. Although when she is in school, Amber’s main place of residence is the Head's office, she is available for children to pat and play with under strict supervision at certain times of the day. Amber is also able to work with children who have special needs, suffer bereavement or who are upset in any way and in need of calm, comfort and space before being able to tell an adult what has upset them.
Amber visits classes from time to time and will even assist with certain lessons (when a dog is useful as a visual aid!). She particularly enjoys hearing children read and really helps improve confidence. Children are taught how to behave when with Amber and also how to be safe around dogs in general. This is beneficial to the children both in and out of school.
Amber has become used to the school environment since early on in her life. We seek parental permission for your children to have supervised contact with Amber. We also would like to have information concerning any dog allergies of fears your child might have.
We hope that children from the school will gain a great deal of enjoyment from having a school dog and that Amber is an established part of life at Burrington C of E Primary School.
A full risk assessment has been prepared and is available from the school office.
