Animal Awareness Week at St Thomas More College, Middle & Secondary School, Żejtun
Between Monday 23rd and Friday 27th October, St Thomas More College, Middle & Secondary School, Żejtun organized an Animal Awareness Week. The aim of this event was to educate, inspire and instil in students a sense of responsibility and compassion towards animals and all species and to recognize that animals too are sentient beings.
Through a series of engaging activities and educational sessions throughout assemblies and the rest of the day, students learnt about Maltese Species thanks to Birdlife Malta, the crucial training and work involved and done by two separate entities, the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation, and the Service Dogs Malta Foundation, together with their non-human companions, Adele, Toby and Kayleigh. Talks were also delivered by various guest speakers including a vet, members from the Malta Falconers Club and from the Cat Enthusiasts. Informative and very enjoyable displays were performed by the K9 Section and the Mounted Section of the Malta Police Force, as well as the Canine Search and Rescue Team of the Order of Malta, the Malta Falconers Club and Klabb Klieb tal-Kaċċa ta’ Malta. During the PSCD lessons, teachers across all year groups facilitated lessons related to animal care and kindness and with the invaluable support of MSPCA personnel and their cute puppies, topics related to the Five Freedoms, Compassion and Adoption were also given prominence.
Animal Awareness week provided a unique learning experience for all students, SLT, staff, parents and minor staff alike – a vital exercise in collaboration and care whilst promoting the importance of respect and responsibility in co-existing with our non-human counterparts. Mass for students, parents, staff, and their companion animals together with the blessing of animals was also held for the younger year groups.
Students were also encouraged to give back to the community through a variety of fundraising activities to support a local animal shelter. These included the Pet Cinema Corner, various food stalls including plant sale, exceptionally manned by teachers and parents, as well as a whole week’s collection of food. During this animal awareness week, we managed to collect €1,100 and over 150 kilos of pet food. Well done to all involved!
For more information, kindly visit our school website.
https://zejtunmiddlesecondaryschool.com/animal-awareness-week-2023/
Ms Louiselle Grech
Teacher Coordinator
