Pupils from Catshill Middle School and Chadsgrove Special School who are part of the North Worcestershire school sports partnership, enjoyed a joint celebration on 3 December to mark 1,000 days to the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Events took place at both schools and the children were joined by Richard White, the Paralympian who won two bronze medals in Sydney 2000 and lives in Catshill.
At Chadsgrove School there was a chance for around 100 children from both schools to try out Paralympic sports for the first time including boccia and new age curling. Pupils also joined together to park part in a wheelchair basket ball game.
Dave Hewitt, PE and Sports Co-ordinator at Catshill Middle School said: ‘The event was a great chance to celebrate the friendship that exists between our two schools and enabled pupils to work collaboratively together in a range of activities.’
Sheena Ball, PE and School Sports Co-ordinator at Chadsgrove Special School said: ‘Today’s event has provided a wonderful opportunity for young people in our local community, to not only engage in range of Paralympic and disability sports, but to use these as a vehicle to explore the Olympic and Paralympic Values of Respect, Equality and Determination.’
Catshill Middle School is one of only 54 schools nationwide that has been invited to join the London 2012 Get Set network. This is in recognition of the school’s initiatives to promote the Olympic and Paralympic Values of Friendship, Determination, Courage, Equality, Excellence, Inspiration and Respect. Pupils from the two schools have joined together in a range of initiatives to develop community cohesion between the schools. Projects have included looking at developing pupils’ knowledge of issues around disability and pupils working and helping each other in PE lessons. Through these joint initiatives the two schools have developed the Values of Friendship and Inspiration.
Paralympian Richard White said: "The learning opportunities in the London 2012 Get Set programme extend far beyond sport, making them wholly inclusive as shown by the fun that the pupils from both schools have had today."
Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) said: ‘In 1,000 days time we will be welcoming the Paralympic Games home and we will deliver a spectacular showcase for Paralympic sport. However, we have greater ambitions. This is a golden opportunity to raise awareness of Paralympic sport, challenge stereotypes about disability and secure a legacy which would have every disabled child getting greater access to sport. We need to work our ambition through at every level and I wish staff and students at Catshill Middle School and Chadsgrove Special School every success with their event to mark the 1,000 days milestone."
Schools and colleges that wish to become members of the Get Set network need to register with Get Set, showcase their student-led work around the Values via the dedicated ‘Get Set’ blog, and complete a short application form. They will receive the right to use the London 2012 education logo on their headed paper, website and school sign. Members of the Get Set network will also receive access to exclusive competitions and 2012 Games related opportunities over the next three years.
More than 11,000 schools and colleges across the UK are already registered as using the Get Set resources - or taking part in the initiatives promoted through the eight key themes of Get Set.