Most people are both terrified of and fascinated with snakes. Penryn Prep’s grade one to seven pupils are no different, as the group proved during a snake talk by Chris Hobkirk at the start of Penryn Prep’s Biodiversity Day.
He showed them a puff adder, a very sluggish one, but a snake with the fastest strike of all its species. It was followed by two very inquisitive snakes, a snouted cobra and a boomslang. The pupils also had the opportunity to touch a non-venomous rat snake.
This was the school’s second biodiversity day, which provided pupils with the opportunity to get out of the classroom and experience the variety of wildlife on the school’s campus. Each grade was assigned a different activity, like a new nature trail that explored life among indigenous plants and natural areas on the campus.
Other speakers included Roland Jones, who helped pupils discover food webs in the wetland, and Don Williams, who gave a bird demonstration. Various other activities also had reptile themes.
The pupils were blessed with a beautiful sunny day, but were surprised by a sudden downpour when each class planted its own tree. However, they enjoyed the rain as they’d each brought a change of clothing.
Pentryn Prep would like to thank all the staff and outside facilitators who contributed toward the success of the day.
