What a great day M1 and M2 had last Wednesday with the Pet Day I organised.  I found it quite challenging to organise this pet day as I didn’t realise how many emails I would need to send and meetings I would have to have (I didn't know what I was getting myself into).

This was greatly supported by both classrooms, with a total of eight dogs and one sheep attending. I set up different challenges, such as Cutest, Best Groomed, Best Dressed, Fastest, Best Listener and Best Behaved. 

There were prizes that I provided for the animals who won the challenges. 

I am so grateful that children from our local preschool (TELC) were able to come over on an excursion and have the opportunity to visit the animals. 

Thanks to Jo Rusbatch (AKA my mum) and Louise Bufton for bringing the children over and supporting my pet day. Little did I know, we would have a vet life nurse on site (AKA Louise Bufton). Luckily, we did not need her assistance. 🙂

I have learnt so much throughout this journey such as time management, participation from those involved, patience, being flexible with my classes and the importance of being a good role model to others. I can now understand the importance of having a safety plan in place for an event such as this, whereas in the beginning I didn’t understand it as much. But after seeing dogs barking at each other, and wanting to get close to each other, I can see why it is necessary. As I have now been on both sides of an event (planning it and just turning up to one) I now understand that it isn’t just as simple as turning up to an event that has already been planned.           

I really enjoyed taking the responsibility for setting up this day and making it the best day ever. 

A big THANKYOU to Ms Saunders, Mrs Staniford and Hanna for supporting me throughout the whole way. A big THANKYOU to M1, M2 and the parents for bringing their pets along and supporting me with this. THANKYOU to the judges also - Ms Haanen, Ariki and Ella (I’m sure their job wasn’t easy). 🙂

It turned out so well and I hope everyone had the best time, like I did.

Ashleigh Rusbatch
Year 8