Richmond Regional High School
On March 22, 2022, Mrs. Barrowman, Richmond Regional High School (RRHS) photography teacher, and Mr. Gibbs, student-teacher from RRHS, had an amazing opportunity to bring our students on a field trip, after a long stretch of Covid teaching and learning. They mounted a bus and headed out to the Cine-zoo in St-Anne de La Rochelle. This facility specializes in training animals for films, photography, and movies. Some of these animals worked with A-list stars such as Nicole Kidman, Marie Brassard, and Josquin Beauchemin. Due to the fact that they are trained and used to be in direct interactions with people, the animals were friendly and not shy. Students got the opportunity to get up close (behind the safety of the fences) to a variety of animals and learn about the animals and the training they receive.
Cine-zoo was an amazing experience as a student teacher, as I have never been to a ZOO. My students were really excited to go since they have not gone on a field trip since late 2019 with the school due to COVID-19. Visiting the ZOO with my students was a great experience, they really enjoyed it and had a great time. During the visit, students were able to receive an up-close private tour from both Mr. LeBlanc and Mr. LaChance, experienced trainers into the enchanting world of star animals used in photography, and television shows. During the field trip, my students were able to take photographs of different animals as part of their curriculum in photography, as well as learn techniques for working with animals when it comes to cinematography and photography. My favorite animal on the trip was the tiger Dagma since I was able to get really close and take really good pictures with my students. I was really inspired by their photographs as well as how they turned out. It was truly an amazing experience as a Richmond Regional Staff Member.
Thanks to a grant this experience was made possible by covering the expense of the field trip and 42 students who enthusiastically took part. The following photos and write-ups are from the students themselves and their out-of-class learning experiences.
RRHS student Brook-Lynn Brock Mills wrote “As an RRHS student, going to CINEZOO was a fun and amazing experience. I love seeing animals, especially wildlife animals such as tigers, lions, and lynx. They are so cute and I love animals. I haven’t gone to the zoo for a long time due to COVID-19, with quarantine and closure of schools and other places, including zoos.
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