17 September 2008
School and college celebrations across the North West mark
Paralympic Handover and herald the start of the London 2012
Education Programme.
In the Northwest, 257 schools and colleges have officially
registered to be part of today’s (September 17th) Paralympic
Handover with many more also taking part in activities.
An estimated 5,000 schools and colleges across the UK have taken
up London 2012’s invitation to lead the celebrations and welcome
the Paralympic Games home, on the day London Mayor Boris Johnson
receives the Paralympic Flag during the Closing Ceremony of the
Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
3,000 schools and colleges across the UK have registered
directly with the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic
and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), with an estimated further 2,000
institutions involved in events run by Local Authorities, sports
clubs, leisure centres and cultural groups.
Highlights of today’s celebrations in the region include;
Kirkby Sports College, Knowsley, Liverpool from 1.30pm. This is the
Northwest region’s flagship event.
Pupils will be joined by Liverpool’s own Olympic swimmmer Michael
Rock. Michael took a year off studying at the University of
Manchester to compete at Beijing 2008 and entered three events,
reaching the final of the Men’s 4 * 100m medley relay and the
semi-finals of the Men’s 200m Butterfly. Michael will give a short
speech after Andy Worthington, Chair of the NW Steering Group for
the 2012 Games, gives an address. Everyone will watch the
Paralympic Handover on a giant screen from about 2.05pm. Following
the handover pupils will give demonstrations and involve their
peers in inclusive sports such as gymnastics and cricket.
Pupils will be photographed with a limited edition Paralympic
flag supplied by LOCOG as the region’s flagship handover event.
This a new school formed through an amalgamation of Brookfield
High School and Ruffwood School which today launches a new school
ethos based on the Olympic and Paralympic values with a special
assembly and sports participation events.
St Josephs RC High School & Sports College in Bolton hosts a
celebration assembly and discuss the meaning of the Paralympic
Games with former Wheelchair Rugby Paralympian Robert Tarr;
Forefield Junior School in Crosby will design flags around the
theme of the Paralympic Value of Equality.
Inspired by the amazing performances by ParalympicsGB in
Beijing, the schools and colleges were supported in celebrating
Paralympic Handover by a set of online resources including films,
posters and factsheets launched in June by (LOCOG).
The festivities across the region gave children and young people
their first taste of the creativity and inspiration that will be
found throughout the London 2012 domestic education programme
called ‘Get Set’ which goes live tomorrow (18 September). A new
interactive ‘Get Set’ website can be found at www.london2012.com/getset.
The interactive website supports children and young people in
learning about the Games and, exploring and committing to the
Paralympic Values of inspiration, determination, courage and
equality and the Olympic Values of respect, excellence and
friendship.
Highlights of the ‘Get Set’ website include:
- A range of free, flexible resources with the Paralympic and
Olympic Values at their heart. Resource available on the site
are for 3-19 year olds and include inspirational films, interactive
games, fact sheets, news articles and more, along with an Educators
section for practitioners and senior management.
- The opportunity for schools and colleges to join the Get Set
network and receive rewards, recognition and endorsement for work
around the Values.
- The opportunity to ‘Go Further’ and get involved in
initiatives supported by London 2012 partners in eight key themes -
internationalism; communication, collaboration and citizenship;
practical learning; PE and sport; enterprise; sustainability and
regeneration; culture and creativity, and healthy, active
lifestyles.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of (LOCOG) said: “Our vision is to inspire
children and young people through the London 2012 Games. Our
athletes at the 2008 Paralympic Games and Olympic Games have
certainly done this. The Paralympic and Olympic Values lie at the
heart of our handover celebrations and are an integral part of our
work with young people through schools and colleges. By motivating
young people in the North West and capturing their imagination we
can help them to fulfill their potential, and create a legacy that
will continue long after the London 2012 Games have ended.”
Andy Worthington, Chair of the NW Steering Group for the 2012
Games, said: "Our Team GB Paralympic athletes have done
phenomenally well in Beijing and it is excellent that we can
celebrate their achievements by joining in with the official
Paralympic Handover today.
"The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have the power to
create a strong legacy in the Northwest so it is vital that The
Games are being brought directly into our schools and learning
institutions. This is particularly relevant at Kirkby Sports
College as it is a new school with a new opportunity to inspire the
next generation of children and young people."
Pam Jervis, Headteacher at Kirkby Sports College and member of
the NW Steering Group for the 2012 Games, said: “We are delighted
to be chosen to host these celebrations.
“The Paralympics and Olympics are shining examples of how people
from all backgrounds and cultures can come together and stretch
themselves to the limits of achievement.
“The values of these great events will underpin the ethos of our
new school as we urge all pupils to achieve their utmost with pride
and determination.”
Jim Knight, Minister for Schools, said: “The Olympic and
Paralympic spirit can be hugely motivating to young people -
symbolising people using their abilities to achieve at the highest
level. My department is delighted to be working with LOCOG to
realise the educational potential of the 2012 Games.”
Ends
For further information please contact Sam Shale at the Northwest
Regional Development Agency (NWDA) on 01925 400264 and 07717
427872.
Alternatively email: sam.shale@nwda.co.uk.
Notes to Editors:
Photographs of the event at Kirkby Sports College will be
available on request.