Figure 1.--Many schools let the children keep small pets like gerbils, hamsters, and rabbits. Dogs and cats are left at home, but most sdchools have school cats and or dogs. The dogs are commonly the pets of these masters. |
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Some children use free time to plsy with pets and animals. Many schools allow children to bring small pets. Gerbils and hamsters are popular choices and some have fancy cages. We also niticed rats and rabitts as well as some more exoticc pets. The pets are not allowed in dormitories. Instead they are generally kept in a hut or other facility. The children then care for them during their free time. They are allowed to take them out of the cages and play with them and of course they need to be fed and the cages cleaned. There are also cats and dogs at most of the schools to play with. The dogs are usually the pets of the masters. A few schools go a little further than small pets and keep a range of farm animals which the children, most from urban homes, find fascinating.
A few boys brought their pets to school this year, most of which were Gerbils and Hansters. The boys are left to look after their own pets and to keep the pet room clean which they do very well.
The School Record (Beachborough School), September 1979.
I have two gerbils which I call Candy and Floss. They are one year and four months, and have gold hair which is black underneath. They have black eyes. Every day I change their water. Once every five days I give them more food. I play with them mostly at weekends. I put them in a wooden maze which I have made with Daddy. I give them lots of cardboard to bite, for they are rodents. Most gerbils live up to three years, but I hope mne will live up to four years. They are the first pets I have had. To communicate they either drone or squeak.
Bradden Fedder, Form III, The Wheasheaf (Pownall Hall), 1980.
Creeping along the hand,
With its silky paws,
Is long thin tail
dragging behind,
Feeling with its
Fine long whikers,
Smeeling with its
Small, wet nose,
Listening with its
Thin delicate ears,
Looking at things with its
Big, bold eyes,
On its back its
Short, soft fur
A MOUSE
Anna French, 11 years, 5 months, Surge (Beeston Hall), Autumn 1988.
For a retiring master, "I hope you remember the time I had creatures and you go, 'GET THAT OUT OF HERE' and people can here it a mile away.
Phillip Gillard, Great Walstead Magazine 1987.
The boys derive great enjoyment from the collection of livestock, and apart from tending the animals, the boys help to make and maintain the sheds, pond and hen houses. Indeed, after te 1987 hurricane when Barfield lost over 100 trees, the 'estsate workers' industry helped to clear the grounds in record time.
Barfield School Prospectus
This year the senior organising members have stopped trying to keep the zoo areas under control and things have not been up to standard. There has been a distinct lack of co-operation and temwork. Even in some cases an obvious lack of personal care for their chosen charges! The animals depend entirely upom their owners, with their hapiness and health depending on constant care and attention. Forgetfulness can cause much unecessary hardship for the animals. Luckily there have been members who have helped out, and noticed when animals needed assistance. By far the most helpful during the year has been Timothy Bowder-Ridger and this was why he was awarded thevJenkins Cup for zoo members. A am glad to say that most members have done well and actual illness and death have been the lowest to date. It can also be reported that breeding has done well -- Timothy Clapham with his rabbits, the Harkers with mice, and Bowder-Ridger with hamsters.
Beaudesert Park Magazine, Autumn 1978.
We believe the care of small animals is an important part of education and are quite happy for children to keep manageable pets. There is a small pet shed and a pond.
Dean Close Junior School Prospectus
