On 2nd April, 2025, we celebrated a very special milestone—George, our beloved school tortoise, turned 18! For those who don’t know, George is one of our two tortoises, alongside his companion, Mildred.
Since September 2009, George has been a much-loved member of our school community. He often visits the Nursery children, bringing smiles to their faces and a sense of calm with his slow and steady movements. Year 5 children take on the responsibility of caring for and feeding the tortoises, learning valuable lessons about responsibility and empathy. Across different year groups, the children bond while sitting on the grass, gently stroking and feeding George and Mildred.
But our school isn’t just home to two tortoises! We also have Oreo, Rocky, and Ginger—the school chickens—and, of course, Maggie, our adorable school dog.
Having school pets like George brings many benefits. They provide comfort and companionship, helping to reduce stress and anxiety among students. Caring for animals teaches responsibility, patience, and kindness, while also encouraging social interaction and teamwork. Maggie, our school dog, also plays an important role — she provides a wonderful opportunity for shy children who find it difficult to read to an adult to build confidence by reading to her instead. Maggie can pop into any classroom to comfort a child when they feel sad or anxious or just need a bit of a lift.
Whether it’s the joy of watching the chickens roam, the calming presence of a tortoise, or the unconditional love of a school dog, our animal friends help make Forest a happier and more nurturing place for everyone.
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