Newlands Girls School
A Journey of Inspiration from Beijing to London
Why Get Set?
With the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games fast approaching and some students oblivious of the enormity of the event it was time for action! Newlands Girls School (Maidenhead, South East) wanted to join Get Set to:
- Access further resources and updates
- Gain acknowledgement for all their positive work
- Promote the Olympic Values in their students.
The Newlands Girls School Olympic Committee was set up to raise awareness of the Olympics and Paralympics within school and the wider local community. This student committee went to the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Olympic Conference and felt inspired to spread the word.
The Journey So Far
Committee members have switched from being delegates to organisers, with Newlands hosting their own Olympic Conference and the Committee taking an active role in delivering parts of the day.
Newlands have devised their own ‘Olympic’ Challenge and are ‘travelling’ all the way from Beijing to London over a series of event days, each involving a different type of exercise to cover the miles. As they set off from Beijing students and staff took turns to cycle round the school field and celebrated the day by dressing in the colours of China. On another event day they took turns on 10 rowing machines that students kept going all day, and on Sports Relief Day they all dressed in sportswear and took part in ‘wacky races’ including egg and spoon and sack races to raise money for the charity.
Newlands have appointed their first Young Ambassadors who recently attended a Young Ambassador Conference. Now meeting weekly they are in the process of organising ‘Olympic’ Days for local primary schools.
Positive Values
Event days have raised awareness of the Values and motivated students through working towards a common goal. Students feel like they are part of a big ongoing challenge and have been inspired by some of the amazing Olympic and Paralympic role models.
For students who have been integral to leading the ‘Olympic’ Challenge and ‘Olympic’ Conference days there have been huge opportunities for advancing communication and organisation skills and also the chance to inspire others. Participants in the events have been able to try a variety of new activities and learn that the Olympic and Paralympic Games are about more than just physical participation.
And the highlights for students?
- “Everyone had a brilliant day, learned all about the Olympics and the Olympic and Paralympic Values, got loads of exercise and had a whole day of fun”
- “We have Olympic Days organised at 3 of our other primary schools, and we can’t wait!”
Towards 2012
Newlands will complete their journey from Beijing to London, involving all students and sharing the Values. All students will discover more about our Olympic and Paralympic heroes. The ‘Olympic’ Committee will continue to be active, particularly in delivering activities to partner primary schools and continuing the ‘Olympic’ Challenge.
Newlands’ ultimate aim would be to give students the opportunity to be there and see the action for real as spectators at the Games with some students even participating as volunteers. Within school Newlands wants to use the legacy of the Games to inspire more young people to participate in physical activity.
