Games Legacy for Scotland

All posts in the ‘south africa’ Category

December 23rd, 2011: Mini Olympics Festivals at Bucksburn Academy, Scotland and Senoane Secondary School South Africa; cduncan; Comments: none Tags: : Categories Get Set, International, International Inspirations, Paralympics, global citizenship, health and well being, olympics, south africa

The blossoming partnership between Bucksburn Academy in Aberdeen and Senoane Secondary School in Soweto, South Africa has continued to develop. Both schools have started their Mini Olympic programme, following the positive relationships built up over the past year and a half.

At Senoane Secondary School, Soweto, South Africa their facilities have now been fully upgraded to include Basketball and Netball courts and Football pitches. Students and teachers enjoyed competing in various activities in the hot summer sun.

Meanwhile at Bucksburn Academy, S1 to S3 pupils have started competing in their own mini Olympics. Both the Football and Basketball competitions proved very exciting. So far “Scotia” house is leading the way, representing our own partnership country - South Africa

November 20th, 2011: Lasswade High School Goes Global!; mfarrell; Comments: none Tags: : Categories Commonwealth, Commonwealth Games, Get Set, International, International Inspirations, Paralympics, global citizenship, health and well being, olympics, south africa, sustainable development

Lasswade High School in Midlothian goes global and shows support for Olympic and Paralympic teams across the world…

Lasswade High School in Midlothian is taking part in a London 2012 initiative to support at least one Olympic team and at least one Paralympic team from around the world to help their students prepare for the arrival of athletes and visitors from around the world to their towns/cities/communities for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer.

A new initiative called ‘Support a Team’ is a major new strand of Get Set goes global’, part of the official London 2012 education programme which aims to help students explore and demonstrate how sport brings the world together.

Schools will be encouraged to learn about the athletes and cultures of their chosen teams, along with Team GB and ParalympicsGB, in the lead-up to the London 2012 Games.

All schools can access free learning resources at www.london2012.com/getsetgoesglobal to help them to select their teams. Resources designed to help young people get behind the athletes competing for Team GB and ParalympicsGB will be available via the ‘Get Set’ website in the new year.

Lasswade High has chosen to support the Chinese gymnastics team because the school has full high quality gymnastics facility which is home to Lasswade Gymnastics club. They have also chosen to support the South African Paralympic team because of their link with a South African township school.

There will be up to 204 Olympic teams and 170 Paralympic teams competing at London 2012 and there are many ways a school can select a team. Schools could choose a team their school or community already has a link with or that speaks a language spoken in their school. They may choose a team training near them at a Pre Games Training Camp or by using the ‘team selector tool’ on the interactive map, available on the ‘Get Set goes global’ website www.london2012.com/getsetgoesglobal

Promoting international links and encouraging intercultural dialogue are also key themes of the Scottish Government’s Games Legacy for Scotland plan. With Glasgow 2014 just around the corner following next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, there is a real opportunity for Scottish schools and communities to connect with the Commonwealth and really forge some longlasting links.

So… if you are participating in the Get Set ‘Support Another Team’ initiative for London 2012, why not consider selecting a Commonwealth country? The majority of Commonwealth countries are in the developing world and thus provide a rich and relevant learning context for young people to explore global citizenship, health and well being, creativity and enterprise.

June 2nd, 2011: International Inspirations - Bucksburn Academy - Senoane High School Soweto Partner schools - Day Six; cduncan; Comments: none Tags: : Categories Get Set, International, International Inspirations, Paralympics, Uncategorized, health and well being, olympics, south africa

Arrived slightly later today due to traffic. Made it for whole school assembly. Children’s singing was fantastic!

Taught lots today - especially Volleyball. Managed some CPD with staff, as new facilities will comprise of a Volleyball court. New Football field (upgraded waste land next to school) is almost ready for planting. Kids are going to love this.

Fraser had opportunity to meet “Life Orientation” group (equivalent to PSHE). Spend a little time discussing how this visit will impact our teaching back home.

Highlight of the day was the Senoane/Soweto choir - Amazing!

June 2nd, 2011: International Inspirations - Bucksburn Academy - Senoane High School Soweto Partner schools - Day Five; cduncan; Comments: none Tags: : Categories International, International Inspirations, Uncategorized, health and well being, olympics, south africa

Start school at 8.15am. Teach a range of activities - girls love Netball/Bench Ball and boys get to grips with extreme dodge ball. Skipping session in afternoon. Children are very athletic and competitive. Its going to be great when they get an allocated Physical Education period. Staff are positive with the experience their learners are receiving.

Very hot day 24 degrees. We are in shorts, everyone else are in jumpers, scarves and even ear warmers, as its their winter! We come away a little burnt and dehydrated!!

Caroline spends some time with David, discussing the progress of the plan and next steps for year three.

Manage a little shopping on way back and vist Nelson Mandela square.

June 2nd, 2011: International Inspirations - Bucksburn Academy - Senoane High School Soweto Partner schools - Day Four; cduncan; Comments: none Tags: : Categories Get Set, International, International Inspirations, Paralympics, Uncategorized, health and well being, olympics, south africa

Up at 6.30am so that we can get a lift to down town Jo Burg to meet Bafana (PT Culture) The drive out to Soweto takes about an hour due to traffic. As soon as we hit the outskirts of Soweto we see hundreds of children walking to school. Some children set off about 4.30am to get to school for 8am. Soweto is a massive area. Housing changes from area to area.

Arrived at school about 8.15am - straight to David’s office, where we meet several staff. Walter Sisulu’s daughter is a member of staff and we are delighted to be introduced. Visit several classes - Fraser even has an opportunity to teach some “Robbie Burns”.

Got down to some teaching with year nine pupils. New sports areas have been developed (thanks to unicef) which has made a huge difference. Class sizes ranged from 40 to 60. Youngsters love to be outside and active. Finish up about 2.30pm and meet with Sports Leaders.

Back home about 7pm - Exhausted!!

June 2nd, 2011: International Inspirations - Bucksburn Academy - Senoane High School Soweto Partner schools - Day Two; cduncan; Comments: none Tags: : Categories International, International Inspirations, Uncategorized, health and well being, olympics, south africa

Sunday 1 May

Early start to meet David (principal of Senoane High School) and his family at the Grace Bible church. Amazing - approximately 6000 people (second sitting) for a 2 hour service. Beautiful service, beautiful family.

Working lunch to discuss the plans for the following week. Decided our main objectives would be to deliver targetted sports to as many learners as possible, support key staff on CPD opportuntites and work with the group of Sports Leaders who have atttended the Sports Leaders course.

Back home for a brilliant Barbeque.

June 2nd, 2011: International Inspirations - Bucksburn Academy - Senoane High School Soweto Partner schools - Day One; cduncan; Comments: none Tags: : Categories Get Set, International, International Inspirations, Paralympics, Uncategorized, health and well being, olympics, south africa

Arrived in Jo-burg 10.30 pm, after a smooth pleasant journey. Unfortunately we did not see any of the Royal Wedding - not to worry Sandra (Caroline’s aunt who we are staying with) had recorded the whole event. Good job we have got Sunday off tomorrow to watch it!!.

June 2nd, 2011: From Aberdeen to Soweto… International Inspirations; mfarrell; Comments: none Tags: : Categories International, International Inspirations, Paralympics, Uncategorized, health and well being, olympics, south africa

As National School Sports Week is about to begin, we welcome new guest blogger Caroline Duncan from Bucksburn Academy who has recently returned from their partner school in Soweto. Bucksburn are taking part in the exciting International Inspirations programme, a London 2012 initiative supported by the British Council and the Youth Sports Trust and Unicef. Through this scheme 7 schools in Scotland are partnered with South Africa and 15 schools with Turkey. The aim of the programme is to fulfill part of London 2012′s ‘Singapore Manifesto’ - the commitment made in the London 2012 bid to “reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport” (Lord Sebastian Coe). The schools are working together to improve sport and PE provision and to develop sports leadership.

But enough from me… Check out the posts from Caroline and leave a comment!