Pupils and staff at Derby High School are being encouraged to enter into the Olympic spirit with a series of themed activities in the run up to this year’s Games. The school, in Hillsway, Littleover, launched a Mini Olympics competition open to pupils aged from 11 to sixth form and staff.
In the first of a series of planned events, entrants were asked to hula-hoop five rings and the competition attracted 30 participants. Times ranged from one second to 30 seconds, with Miranda Thornewill, 15, from Findern, emerging as the overall winner. She was awarded her prize in assembly by head teacher Colin Callaghan
In March, the school will hold a reach for the flame competition which will involve running and climbing to reach a ‘torch’.
The Olympics are also being highlighted in PE lessons as well as in assemblies. Judith Hancock, Head of Physical Education at Derby High School said that the Olympics was not just about playing competitive sport. She said “‘The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating young people through sport, practised without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. This is an ethos that we are constantly encouraging in school and what better way than by emphasising this with our own version of such a major event. Our Mini Olympics encourages everybody to take part and they don’t have to be particularly good but are encouraged to try and to be supported by the rest of the school community.”
Mrs Hancock will be taking her A-level students to a conference and tour of the Olympic facilities next month. PIans are also in the pipeline for a Year 4 Olympic taster day for local schools in June which will include trampolining, athletics and curling.
Fri 27th Jan 2012
