Rollo and Maisy

Miscellany

Rollo and Maisy

By Geraldine Foley

We would like to introduce you to two new members of the Marlborough family, Rollo and Maisy.

Rollo

  • Rollo is a male Sprockerpoo puppy (springer/cocker spaniel & toy poodle).
  • He was born on 4th May 2019
  • He has a hypoallergenic coat and does not shed.
  • He has completed puppy pre-school and has started his puppy training classes.
  • He loves eating sausages, playing with children, running off with Miss Foley’s slippers, cuddles, walks, and life in general.
  • He isn’t too keen on bath time!

Rollo’s main place of residence will be in the office area, which is secure and separate from the classrooms.  As Rollo is still only young he will slowly be introduced to the school community and we will begin by introducing him to small numbers of children.

Maisy

  • Maisy is a female Border Collie x King Charles Spaniel puppy.
  • She was born on 24th December 2018.
  • Maisy was chosen for her, sweet-tempered, playful and gentle character traits.
  • Maisy will shortly participate in training classes and is currently socialised daily with other dogs and children.
  • Maisy loves playing in the water, walks on the beach and in the parks, running after a ball and tummy rubs!

Maisy’s main place of residence will be in the SNUG, which is secure and separate from the classrooms. Over the coming weeks, Maisy will be visiting the school for short sessions during which time she will be introduced to small groups of children.

Rollo is Miss Foley’s puppy and Maisie is Mrs Dent’s puppy. Both dogs are first and foremost our family pets. All costs and responsibilities associated with the dogs are met by both families.

Both dogs have been chosen carefully for their mild temperament and love of children. They will be coming into school for short sessions initially.

Benefits of dogs in school:

  • a calming effect on pupils;
  • improved behaviour and concentration, reduced stress and improved self-esteem;
  • encouraging expression, participation and confidence for all children;
  • fostering a sense of responsibility;
  • motivating pupils to think and to learn, as most children have a high level of natural interest in, enthusiasm for and enjoyment of animals;
  • encouraging respect and thereby improving pupils’ relationships with each other, parents and teachers;
  • teaching children to nurture and respect life;
  • helping work undertaken with the most vulnerable children;
  • helping children build confidence in reading;
  • improving attendance;
  • further promote and support our valuable wellbeing work with pupils and staff.

Dogs are increasingly being used in schools with great success and some of you may have seen in the media that they are now being used in some hospitals as the emotional health benefits they bring are just so vast.  We have spent the past couple of years researching and then planning how to appropriately introduce dogs into school life.

If your child is going to work in regular, close contact the dog we will request permission from parents to do so. Over the year all children will have the opportunity to interact with our school dog as he begins to visit more classrooms and moves around the school more. Whilst moving around the school, the dog will be kept on a short lead and will always be with an adult.

Please understand that we will do everything we can to reassure children who are fearful and that under no circumstances will they be forced to meet with the dog.

We hope the children will gain a great deal of enjoyment from having school dogs.