Inspiring children to follow their dreams
Why Get Set?
Herbert Thomson Primary School (Cardiff, Wales) is very strongly committed to PE and sport, fully promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles to all children and adults in the school community.
Joining Get Set was a natural progression from what had already been successfully achieved, and could help the school in its aim of continuing to encourage children to adopt a positive approach to exercise, PE and healthy eating.
The Journey So Far
Herbert Thomson was twinned with a school in Iowa through involvement in Olympics Dreams. Children are keenly following the progress of Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson a former pupil of their partner school, and will be using ICT including video conferencing to help communicate with their peers in Iowa.
Links are also in place with an Indonesian school and inspired by this partnership Herbert Thomson held an Indonesian Healthy Schools Festival. Activities included designing and making a healthy rice-based meal for Queen Sita and making a shelter for her to live in whilst in the forest.
A truly memorable sports week started with a grand opening ceremony complete with an Olympic torch being passed to every child. The week included an amazing sports day held in the Welsh National Indoor Athletic Centre and cheers could be heard all over Cardiff when Wenlock joined children for the Closing Ceremony to help present medals and trophies. When the Olympic flame was extinguished a flag was presented to Year 5 to host Sports Week next year.
All pupils and staff have completed a Sports Pledge with staff also pledging to climb Pen-y-Fan , the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons.
Positive Values
With the Olympic and Paralympic Values underpinning the whole ethos of the school Herbert Thomson feels that its involvement with the Get Set network, International Inspirations and World Class Olympic Dreams has been amazing!
“It has opened up the world to our pupils and is inspiring them to actually believe in themselves and strive for their dreams.”
And the highlights for children?
Children have enjoyed stories of athletes who are hoping to compete in London 2012 and have been particularly inspired by following Shawn Johnson and seeing how she is overcoming injury in order to compete. Meeting Rob Chapman who taught Shawn in Iowa made the whole experience real.
“When is Shawn coming to Herbert Thompson? I want to be like her.”Towards 2012
Herbert Thomson wants to extend children’s expectations for their future lives, giving children confidence to follow their dreams, use and develop their talents and to understand that through hard work and dedication their best can be achieved.
A range of exciting opportunities will be offered in the lead up to London 2012 aiming to motivate and inspire children to believe in themselves and show respect and empathy for different cultures.
By 2012 Herbert Thomson is determined that children will “appreciate and understand that there is a wonderful world out there, with wonderful people to meet!”
