At Annemount, we believe that some of the most valuable lessons are those that teach our children how to care for others. This week, with the help of our school dog Mitzi, a much-loved Welsh Terrier, our pupils explored what it really means to look after a pet.

Caring for an animal teaches children so much that no textbook can. It builds a sense of responsibility as they learn that a pet depends on us for food, exercise, company and kindness every single day. It nurtures empathy, too, as the children begin to think about what an animal needs and how it might be feeling, a wonderful foundation for the way we hope they will treat one another.

The children also learned how to behave safely and gently around dogs, including those they don’t know. Understanding how to stay calm, ask before approaching, and read the signs that a dog would rather be left alone is an important life skill, and one our pupils took to thoughtfully.

Having Mitzi as part of the Annemount family brings these lessons to life in the gentlest way. She is a calm, friendly presence around school, and through her the children are learning gentleness, patience and respect for animals, lessons we hope they will carry with them for a lifetime.