Royston pupils welcome animals and volunteer painters

During half term, the school welcomed volunteers from Johnson Matthey, who offered their time to decorate areas of the school.

The volunteers decorated the hallways and the dining room, while some went outside to paint fences.

Volunteers from Johnson Matthey decorated Icknield Walk First School in Royston (Image: Icknield Walk First School)

A spokesperson for the school said: "We are so grateful to Johnson Matthey for allowing their staff to spend a couple of days with us.

"To all the volunteers, a heartfelt thank you from all of us at Icknield Walk for all your hard work.

"The volunteers have transformed our school and made it bright and welcoming for the children, staff and visitors."

Volunteers from Johnson Matthey repainted the hallways (Image: Icknield Walk First School)

Johnson Matthey is a multinational speciality chemicals and sustainable technologies company, with headquarters in Royston.

Meanwhile, pupils in reception have been learning about different animals around the world and their habitats.

The children learnt facts about sea creatures, jungle animals and prehistoric animals, while learning big new words such as herbivore, carnivore, endangered, extinct, paleantologist and many more. 

Children at Icknield Walk First School got to meet meerkats (Image: Icknield Walk First School)

Ben and Hannah from 'Spirit of the Wild' - a group which owns a private zoo - visited the school to show the children a variety of creatures.

The children were able to see, carefully hold and stroke animals including a yellow python, three meerkats, a barn owl, a parrot, a fruit bat and many more.

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They also learnt about the different characteristics of amphibians, reptiles and mammals and their varying habitats.

Johnson Matthey volunteers decorating the school (Image: Icknield Walk First School)

Reception class teacher Mrs Williams said: "It was a fantastic experience for our children and a great opportunity to see some of the creatures they have been learning about first hand.

"Hearing them talk so enthusiastically about their favourite creatures after the visit was simply wonderful."

Johnson Matthey volunteers decorating the school (Image: Icknield Walk First School)

Spirit of the Wild, described as 'the zoo that comes to you', specialise in wildlife and animal parties, events, talks and presentations. To find out more about their work visit spiritofthewild.biz.

Icknield Walk First School in Poplar Drive, Royston, is a large, two-form entry school, catering for pupils age four to nine.