You're a star, chick!

Mar 12 2007 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

JADE Goody's rants at Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty on Celebrity Big Brother may have had people glued to their television screens.

But this little chick and its siblings are giving the reality show a run for its money.

Pupils, staff and parents at Colebourne Primary School in Stechford have been logging on to their computers day and night in a bid to get a glimpse of the tiny chicks hatching live via an internet webcam.

Teachers say they have been overwhelmed by how popular the Living Eggs project has proved.

Staff took delivery of ten eggs and an incubator on Monday in a bid to educate four and five-year-old pupils about the circle of life.

Early Years Co-ordinator Sarah Peckett came up with the brainwave of putting a webcam in the incubator to allow the youngsters to keep an eye on the eggs 24 hours a day at home via the school's website - www.colebourne.bham.sch.uk.

It was such a hit that all 420 pupils at the school in Stechford Road have been logging on to watch each of the ten tiny chicks hatch into the world.

The first, named Chirpy by the youngsters, was born last Tuesday.

"We've been delighted with how popular it's been," said Ms Peckett.

"At first it was just meant to be for the reception children but then everyone started getting interested.

"Some parents and teachers have been staying up until the early hours of the morning because they were so keen to watch the eggs hatching.

"They've been telling their friends and families who have been logging on too, it seems to be as popular as Big Brother!"

The project has been such a phenomenal success that staff hope to make it an annual event.

"It's been amazing and such a brilliant hands-on way for the children to learn," added Ms Peckett. "We never imagined it would be so popular so we will definitely have to do it every year."