Year 7 at London Zoo
On Friday 1st May, Year 7 pupils enjoyed a warm spring day at London Zoo as part of their Day of Recollection, celebrated on the Feast of St Joseph the Worker. The outing offered pupils a valuable opportunity for reflection on stewardship of creation and humanity’s responsibility to care for God’s world, while also providing an exciting and educational experience.
London Zoo, located in Regent’s Park, is the world’s oldest scientific zoo, founded in 1828, and plays a vital role in the conservation of rare and endangered species from around the globe. Pupils travelled by train to London Bridge before continuing by Underground to Camden Town, enjoying a short walk to the Zoo through the vibrant and bustling Camden Lock area of the capital.
At the Zoo, Year 7 explored Tiger Territory, where they learned about these powerful predators. Listening to expert keepers, pupils gained an insight into the latest understanding of tiger behaviour, their natural habitats, the threats they face, and how conservation efforts can help protect this endangered species. Our pupils were invited to consider how human activity can both harm and protect the natural world.
One of the highlights of the day was the Super Species Live – Flying Bird demonstration. During this exciting session, keepers introduced a variety of birds of prey, as well as mammals such as ferrets and armadillos. Three birds, in particular, captured the pupils’ imaginations:
- a Burrowing Owl, a small, long-legged owl native to North and South America, known for nesting in underground burrows;
- a Caracara, native to the Falkland Islands, an intelligent and adaptable bird capable of digging prey out of burrows and hunting at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Pupils were fascinated to learn that one of the Zoo’s caracaras had recently escaped and spent ten days roaming the local area before being safely returned;
- and a Barn Owl, one of the twenty native birds of prey in the British Isles, which flew silently just above the audience, offering pupils a thrilling close-up encounter.
After lunch, pupils explored the Reptile House, enthusiastically searching for frogs, lizards and snakes within the display cabinets. They also visited Butterfly Paradise, where exotic butterflies of all shapes, sizes and colours fluttered around them—many even settling on pupils’ clothing and hair.
Before heading back to school, Year 7 ended the day with a visit to Penguin Beach, watching a colony of Humboldt penguins basking in the sunshine and diving gracefully into the pool. Penguin Beach recreates a South American coastal environment and serves as an important breeding facility, complete with a penguin nursery and chick incubation unit.
The day was an enjoyable and memorable experience for all, with time to observe the beauty and diversity of creation, pupils were encouraged to give thanks for God’s gift of the natural world and reflect on how they can act responsibly in their own lives as caretakers of creation. The day was an enriching opportunity that pupils will remember for years to come.
Year 7 at London Zoo - May 2026
