Pupils lead charge for Chester’s Rhino Mania event

Feb 18 2010 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

Pupils lead charge for Chester’s Rhino Mania event

A RHINO has been let loose in a classroom.

But there’s no need for alarm because pupils from The Arches Community Primary School, Blacon, have been decorating the mini rhino as part of this summer’s Rhino Mania event in Chester.

More than 90 schools are adorning the 2ft beasts to go on display alongside up to 70 larger versions to form a tourist trail across the city.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is sponsoring the educational programme with Bank of America.

Leader Mike Jones said: “I’m looking forward to seeing all the young people’s ideas brought to life when the rhinos finally stampede into the city this summer.”

All participating schools receive an education pack full of creative ideas to help children and teachers get the most out of their participation.

As well as being fun, the Rhino Mania programme is designed to develop students’ enthusiasm for learning and debate around wildlife, conservation and the environment.

Rita Waters, chief executive of Chester Renaissance, leading the project, said: “I hope our innovative education programme will encourage children to participate in discussions, write short stories about rhinos, and explore their world creatively, while discovering what we can do to help preserve these wonderful but endangered species.”

For more information visit: www.rhinomania.co.uk