Promoting the Values throughout school and globally
Why Get Set?
As part of the school’s aim for excellence, Ysgol John Bright (Conwy, Wales) was already involved in promoting sporting excellence and global citizenship. The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games meant a fantastic opportunity to promote, develop and educate in these areas using an event hosted in the UK.
With the Games so close to home, there were many opportunities to promote the Olympic and Paralympic Values and educate students on a global level.
The Journey So Far
Olympic athlete Jamie Baulch spoke to students as part of iNet Wales’ campaign to engage schools in the 2012 Games. He described his own experiences in competing at the Olympic Games and the determination required to achieve at the highest level.
PE schemes of work have incorporated elements such as inclusion and rewarding dedication. Through National School Sport Week students will be recording their personal bests across a variety of sports and an Olympic Games week will incorporate a range of activities based around the Values.
Further activities across the curriculum have included:
- ‘You can do it’ portfolios for ICT based on the Values and aiming to encourage others to improve their lifestyles
- A geography of sport module
- Inventing recipes for the Get Set to Exercise Your Taste Buds competition
- Designing commemorative products for London 2012
- Entering the Inspire Aspire poster award
- 6th Form ‘Sporting Heroes’ working with primary school sports.
Ysgol John Bright will be supporting Malawi and South Africa as well as Great Britain for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Linked to partner schools in both countries, Skype sessions are keeping everyone in touch.
Positive Values
Displayed prominently around the school, it is easy for staff to refer to the Values in lessons and in everyday interactions with students; the Values can be easily related to everything students do, from performing on the day in an exam to reasons for the school rules.
Using the Games and sport to introduce the Values has meant students have engaged in the activities and are recognising how the Values are important for the Games and in everyday life.
And the highlights for students?
Students have been inspired by the idea of being the best at something and seeing people who live in their own country preparing to be their best in the Games.
- “I never thought a schoolboy (Tom Daly) could be in the Olympics”
- “I have used the Values from the Olympics to think about doing the best in my exams”
- “It’s great that it’s here and we can be part of the build-up.”
Towards 2012
Ysgol John Bright wants students to fully understand the Olympic and Paralympic Values, recognise how they can act on them in their everyday lives and see how these Values help a variety of people become part of a strong community.
As 2012 approaches the school aims for students to fully experience the build up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games despite being a long way from London.
