‘It was a fabulous day’, explained Sian Close, Science teacher at St Peter’s  and organiser of the event.  ‘We have run a number of these Cross Curricular Days now and they are hugely popular with the children.  This year we chose animals as the focus –coming face to face with species they might not normally have contact with is hugely beneficial and allows them to learn about habitats and lifecycles outside the  more traditional  confines of  textbooks and timetables’.

In addition to the many varied animals and minibeasts on display  there was  a number of visiting organisations such as Exmoor Zoo and  Devon Traditional Breeds who gave short talks about their work with endangered species. Linda Salmon, from Wolfgar Vetenary Practise, spoke  about the role and tasks of a vet,  with Kenniford Farm piglets  and small animals from Crealy Park also forming part of the event.

To round off the day, Sian invited staff and pupils to bring along their pet dogs for a St Peter’s Crufts 2006.  Judging Cutest Puppy, Best Oldest Dog and Obedience, Look-alike  and Agility Classes was Mrs Louise Pring who had the unenviable task among a huge turnout of  close to 60 entires. ‘It was a fabulous end  to a fabulous day, the children really entered into the spirit of it.  The combination and variety of breeds  was quite a site and the Agility Class had everyone in stitches’.

However, last week’s Cross Curricular Day was more than just a fun day at school –money raised through a non-uniform day helped swell funds for the SW Multiple Sclerosis Centre in Exeter.  Sian and colleague, Chris Ball, are running the London Marathon later this month to raise funds for SWMSC.   Sian’s father, Vic Gibbins, the Manager of the SW Multiple Sclerosis Centre was himself diagnosed with MS when he was just 40.   The Centre has to raise £70,000 every year in order to be able to provide therapies, support, advice and information to the MS community in Devon. 

If you wish to sponsor Sian or Chris  please contact the Centre Manager, Vic Gibbins, Tel: 01392 447411  or 079 664 576 52 info@southwestmscentre.co.uk or  www.southwestmscentre.co.uk