Maxfield Park Primary top students celebrated at Hope Zoo
/ Our Today
administrator
Top performing students from grades five and six students of the Maxfield Park Primary School were, on May 15, feted by St. Mary’s alongside the Hope Zoo to a day of mindful fun, surrounded by the menagerie of birds, fish, and other wildlife at the Zoo.
As part of celebrations for Child’s Month, both boys and girls participated in feeding the miniature horses, camels, barn animal pet goats, and the beloved 40-year-old African tortoise named ‘Sammy’ with nutrient-filled ripe bananas provided by JP Farms.
General curator at Hope Zoo, Joseph ‘Joey’ Brown, expressed his delight at witnessing the students’ enthusiasm for learning about animal nutrition.
He emphasised the importance of such experiences, stating, “Children’s interactions with animals are vital in fostering empathy and care. Animals are truly remarkable, and it is our aim at the Zoo to share that wonder with the children.”
This was my first time at a zoo and it was so cool. Sammy the Tortoise was my favourite animal. It was fun to learn about the different animals and that they should eat the same foods as us [people].
Javaughnte Davis, head boy at Maxfield Park Primary School
“For humans, it is important for us to eat a nutritious and healthy diet, likewise for the animals like ‘Sammy’ the tortoise, it is also very important for them to have a nutrient-rich diet filled with fruits and veggies for their longevity and growth. JP Farms taking that step to bridge that gap in educating these kids was certainly a good move,” he continued.
For many of the young scholars, the visit was their first experience at Hope Zoo.
Head Boy Javaughnte Davis was elated at the novel experience and shared, “Today I was the brave one! I felt very glad to come to the zoo to feed the animals and have fun with my friends. This was my first time at a zoo and it was so cool. Sammy the Tortoise was my favourite animal. It was fun to learn about the different animals and that they should eat the same foods as us [people].”
JP Farms Brand Manager Gayon Douglas, shared that, “Maxfield Park Primary has been a long-time participant in our programme to provide specially discounted bananas for schools. We’ve seen first hand how they’ve made the extra effort to provide healthy eating options for their students and in the spirit of Child’s Month, we wanted to reward the hard work of their top-performing students by giving them a hands-on experience in a green space outside of the classroom. We are grateful that the Hope Zoo facilitated this trip and that the kids have deemed it a success.”
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