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TESTIMONIALS
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO READ SOME OF THE TESTIMONIALS I'VE BEEN SENT:
SNIPPET FROM OFSTED REPORT: Teachers use relevant life experiences to inspire pupils and make learning interesting. For example, in Year 1, a visit from Dave the owl man and his owls meant that pupils enthusiastically organised their knowledge about owls into different categories, such as diet and appearance, in preparation for writing a book about owls. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Dave,
Just wanted to say thank you again for the visit on Tuesday. The girls thoroughly enjoyed it as did the staff! My class’ homework that night was to write a report about the visit and what they had learnt. Their writing was some of the best they have done for me. They remembered so many details and facts and were able to recall so much. It was a great learning experience for them and something they will always remember.
We will be writing letters next half term, so look out for some post in the near future!
Many thanks Kelli -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As usual it was fab seeing the animals from RaptorXotics Falconry again (and of course Dave). Your first Harry Potter talk went superbly, you should be very proud! I now have some very excited children to contend with now for the rest of the day! They were very impressed you did your research, as was I. Zeus was lovely (we are going to see if he resembles the Ravenclaw eagle after lunch) and I am very glad we didn't have any escapees! x x x ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Dave, Thanks for yesterday...all of us children and adults alike really enjoyed the experience. Louise Yardley Hastings Primary School ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry it has taken me more than a week to get around to this, it's been the most manic first term I can ever remember! Jane and I just wanted to thank you for providing such a memorable experience for the children. My class talked about little else last week and we have had feedback from parents to say that the children have also talked enthusiastically about the experience at home. It is wonderful to hear little snips of information about owls, clearly gleaned from your visit, cropping up in the children's conversations Smile. We have talked to the children about what they learned and what they enjoyed and whilst most of them loved the owls, you might be interested to know that one of the Year 1 boys was particularly captivated by the peregrine falcon and one of the Reception girls by Jasmine, the rat! We will definitely recommend you to all our teacher friends and hope to see you back at Clipston sometime. Regards Geri & Jane ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi Dave, Thanks again for last week, it was exactly what I wanted. The children have already done some observational drawings of the feathers that you gave me and they are now currently on display outside the classroom.
Tim ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Dave,
Thank you so much for yesterday's visit to Year 2, I have had lots of positive responses from both children and members of staff as to how much they enjoyed the experience of getting up close to the different animals that you brought in to school. Thank you for your kind comments about the children's behaviour, I have passed this on to the Heads and the children! I think it was because you maintained their interest throughout the session and by aiming the discussion at the appropriate level of the children involved, they all stayed focused and fully engaged with the activities. It would definitely be something that we would be keen to repeat next year!
My colleagues in Year 1 were keen to know if you did a similar talk with mini beasts aimed at 5-6 year olds. If so, please could you email me the details and I will forward the information on.
Many thanks,
Emma ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Dave,
Just a quick email to say a huge thanks for another superb visit . To be able to see such a variety of animals and touch them was amazing . ( needless to say I am still having nightmares about Derek the python ) the children really engaged and loved it although I'm not entirely sure all the staff were so enthusiastic .
many many thanks
Angie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I wrote in my last testimonial that we “looked forward to seeing you again next year” and although I didn’t think it would be as soon as 6 months later, I now have no doubt that you are most probably going to be a permanent fixture for the Year 1’s at Kingsthorpe Grove for both our Owl and Mini-beast topics (although I do dread to think what will be trying to escape in my classroom next time!) The children were really excited when they were told you were coming back to see us with the exotics and they certainly weren’t disappointed. Not only are they now throwing “interesting” facts at me whenever they get the chance, they also cannot stop talking about all the animals that they saw, touched or held. I also know for a fact that they are secretly keeping their fingers crossed that they know more about spiders than you do! So once again a huge thank you from all of us here, it was a fab talk and I know all of our Year 1’s enjoyed every second of it! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave came to our school to help us with our topic on nocturnal animals. He brought an array of animals, including Crackerjack and Plop the owls, scorpions and rats too! The children (and staff) were enthralled all morning; Dave’s obvious enthusiasm and the manner in which he explained things to the children were truly outstanding. The children were able to stroke an owl and this experience really deepened their knowledge and understanding of animals in a meaningful way. The children have been excited and the quality and amount of work they have produced has been amazing, and I feel a lot of this was down to Dave’s visit. He is definitely someone that we will have back in school- am looking in the school diary for spaces now! I cannot recommend him highly enough. Lisa Heavens, Headteacher, Newton Blossomville C of E School. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Dave, A big thank you from all at Stubbings Infant School! The children are still talking about the animals with great enthusiasm. The children absorbed so much information about the animals and wrote some very detailed and interesting pieces of writing. We booked Dave thinking of our yr 2 class who were about to do their 2009 SAT paper, this involved writing a non- chronological report on nocturnal animals. We wanted the children to experience nocturnal animals close up and learn about how they were adapted to nocturnal life. Dave more than delivered. Each class from nursery to yr 2 had their own workshop where they could observe and handle a selection of creatures, mainly nocturnal, and learn all about how they were adapted to nocturnal life and their habitat. Dave adapted his talk expertly to suit the needs of each year group. We then ended the day with a fabulous owl show which lasted an hour where the whole school and parents experienced owls and other birds of prey flying over them. Dave was a mind of information about these creatures and has a real passion for his animals and teaching other people about them. We handled different types of feathers and owl pellets and some lucky children even got to catch the birds as they landed! Thank you Dave , we will spread the word! Rachael Baily Class Teacher ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your visit to Cedar Road Primary School was a huge success with the children. They were totally hooked with all the birds you brought to show them. They loved the way the birds didn't always do as they were told! You spoke to them with great enthusiasm and they learnt facts that they can still recall.
Thank you David and we look forward to seeing you next year.
Kate Geoghegan - class teacher at Cedar Road Primary School ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .Hello Dave its Sally from Standens Barn Primary. I just wanted to say on behalf of us all what an absolutely fantastic day we had when you spent the day with us on wednesday this week. The children are still talking about it and are currently creating some lovely snake and owl art work. Also we are planning to do some writing on nocturnal animals so the children are well equipped! All staff commented on how friendly, knowledgeable and approachable you were. Thank you thank you thank you. See you with the older children in September! :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We had a fantastic evening with Dave and his wonderful birds of prey... and most importantly, all the children absolutely loved it!
Fascinating facts, interactive and hands-on opportunities, important lessons, funny moments, great information on wildlife in general, etc... the cubs were dumbstruck for an hour and a half! and the adults thought it was great too!
We are all still talking about his visit and planning for a return."
James Tremlett Leader 1st Foxton Cubs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RaptorXotics falconry were at eldean summer fayre yesturday. Well at least I think they were all you could see was people surrounding them. Everyone got to meet all the owls and falcons and seemed very interested in what they were told about them. If anyone needs a fab attraction to an event I can recommend them. Well worth the money they charge and maybe you'll get hooked on owls like dave and Kyle obviously are -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Dave, Please find enclosed a cheque in reciept for your wonderful falconry display at Duston Eldean Primary School fete on Saturday. Many of the visitors commented on your fabulous display and we hope that you will be available for our fete next year. Once again many thanks Nikki Oxborough and Jackie Tompkins ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The above organisation recently visited our school. They brought birds of prey and talked about them to the children who were able to see the birds fly, ask questions and also be involved in handling them. Children and staff really enjoyed the visit which would also be good for a school fete. All you need is a reasonable size playing field for the birds to fly.
Website: www.raptorxotics.co.uk
Pauline O’Neill Administration Manager/EVC St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Woodside Way Kings Heath Northampton NN5 7HX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The children were introduced to a wide range of exotic creatures, which they had the opportunity to view close up – a fantastic learning experience! The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Dave’s subject knowledge and experience was outstanding.
Year 4 Teachers – New Bradwell School ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Tom and Dave, RE: 50th Birthday Party for my daughter Sharon on Sunday 12th August 2012
On behalf of myself, wife, daughter Sharon, together with other members of the family and friends, I would like to convey our sincere thanks to you both for your superb display of Falconry last Sunday.
You both presented the show with excellence, identifying and portraying to us, your great knowledge of Falconry and detail to the said birds in the show.
A great day was enjoyed by us all, with the weather staying fine throughout the display.
Both of you were a great asset to your employers, showing professional ability, skills and presentation, identified by us all watching. We attending are also professional in our various employments requiring skills and adoption to presentations to staff and members of the public audience. You are both 'peoples persons' blessed with such natural skills. Interest was held by us all throughout. Well done to you both.
Tom, I believe you are going into 'teaching' as a profession, and a good teacher you will be passing on the knowledge you have so far acquired in Falconry subjects.
Good luck to you both in the future, and once again, many thanks for what you gave us on Sunday.
Yours sincerely J. W. Green. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Claire Cumberland
Dave did our son's 6th birthday party and it was fantastic! The kids were captivated and we had so many comments from parents saying it was the best party they'd ever been to. Dave is very knowledgeable and really cares about his animals, he even took the time to chat to the parents when he'd finished entertaining the kids! I would highly recommend Dave to anyone looking to add something memorable to their event, you won't be disappointed! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just wanted to say a BIG thank you for your visit to the Year 1’s at Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School with your truly gorgeous birds and for being such a HUGE inspiration during our topic.
The children and I were really looking forward to learning more about Owls and we were not disappointed. We all learnt so much more from you than we ever would have from a book thanks to your personalised approach and due to you taking the time to answer our questions during and after the visit. The Year 1 team have never seen the children so engaged not only throughout your talk but also during our follow up lessons and the quality of work that they have produced as a direct result of your visit has been amazing. It was great to see the vast amount of information that they all retained, and it was lovely seeing our quietest children participate in discussions about Owls with such enthusiasm and confidence.
I have no doubt that your visit to us will be an experience that the children and adults will remember for a very long time, I know that I certainly will, but then again I have never seen such a well-trained Falconer before!
We shall definitely be recommending Raptor Xotics to everyone we know and we look forward to seeing you again for another visit next Year!
Zainab Tayabji | ||||||||||
