Organised and run by a special Student Olympic Committee, Yarborough school held a ‘Get Set’ swimming gala for students from across the Lincoln area.
The committee was formed from 15 Yarborough representatives from Years 7, 8 and 10 as well as post-16 students.
The gala, targeted at Year 7 students, was planned and run as an inclusive event so that swimmers of all abilities could take part.
Innovation and drive
The students began planning the event in May and had to work to tight deadlines to meet their swimming gala date of July 8th.
They held meetings every week, and were given the autonomy to make things happen through their own decision making, team work, planning skills and creativity including:
- what events to include
- how to invite the schools
- what trophies and medals to order.
The Committee invited local DJs to host the race, liaised directly with the leisure centre and even arranged a visit from former swimming medalist Adam Whitehead.
Reflecting the Olympic and Paralympic Values
The Parlaympic Value of ‘Inspiration’ was chosen as the overarching focus for the event. Adam Whitehead reflected the theme by talking to participants about his achievements, his role models and the people who had inspired him. Equality and respect were highlighted when Yarborough invited an organisation running a disabled triathlon to share the pool with them.
The Olymic Value of ‘Excellence’ was also strongly promoted through a special race, which saw Adam Whitehead challenging Yarborough school student Hayley Williams, a national swimmer and likely candidate for London 2012.
Enterprise Education is obviously going swimmingly at Yarborough, and through the school’s efforts to include partner schools in its projects the school is also helping to spread best practice. The Get Set Get enterprising team also applauds the idea of a special Student Olympic and Parlaympic Games Committee and urges other schools to follow suit.
