Cardiff school children get exclusive glimpse of Olympic torch

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 4, 2011

On Friday, Llanishen High School hosted a UK flag ship event as part of National School Sport Week and saw former Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener talk about his career as a British Sprint Athlete and gave children an exclusive glimpse of the Olympic torch.

He was joined by The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Prof Delme Bowen and Wenlock, the official London 2012 mascot.

National School Sport Week is a sporting celebration for primary and secondary schools and aims to generate interest in sport for pupils of all ages.

The nationwide campaign runs from June 27 to July 1 and attracts almost 14,000 schools and five million children from across the UK, encouraging them to take part and enjoy sporting activities.

This year Cardiff was chosen to host the closing ceremony which saw 400 children take part in Olympic and Paralympic sports as well as attempting to beat their personal best.

The event was delivered by Sport.Cardiff in partnership with Youth Sport Trust and Lloyds TSB

Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “Cardiff did a fantastic job of hosting the closing ceremony for National School Sport Week today.

“The important initiative not only encourages schools to fill their objectives for sport and PE but also enables them to create excitement and alerts them to the values of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Cardiff will play an important role in the 2012 Games by hosting the very first event at the Millennium Stadium and having been selected by several teams as their Pre-Games training camps.

“It is therefore vital that the city continues to showcase sporting excellence as part of its legacy following the event, including improving club, competition and coaching infrastructure and the development of grassroots sport provision for children and young people.”

Youth Sport Trust ambassador, Jason Gardener, said:  “To see so many young people today motivated by the Olympic Torch to try and achieve a personal best in an Olympic or Paralympic sport was really inspiring and I hope that many of them go on to excel in their chosen sport as they continue to develop.  I tried various different sports at school before I found sprinting and I hope that, through events like these, Wales’ future sporting stars are discovered.”

Radyr Comp wins award for changing attitudes towards LGBT issues

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jun 23, 2011

A Cardiff secondary school has gained success in a national awards scheme that recognises innovative and exciting school council projects.

Radyr Comprehensive School’s Domino Project has been nationally recognised in the Speaker’s School Council Awards for their work aimed at changing people’s perceptions and raising awareness of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issues in schools and beyond.

With a motto of ‘I Am What I Am’, the project seeks to break down barriers and support young people whatever their sexuality. The school council members have been involved in presenting their ideas to youth conferences and via short videos on You Tube, including an interview with Leader of Cardiff Council, Rodney Berman, who adds his support to the campaign.

Over 800 school councils registered to enter the awards scheme with an inspiring and worthwhile array of activities. The judging panel, which included the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP; Sir Keith Ajegbo, citizenship specialist and author of Diversity and Citizenship Curriculum Review; Jo Swinson MP (East Dunbartonshire), Tom O’Leary, Head of Education and Public Engagement at Houses of Parliament and Dr Emma- Jane (Edge) Watchorn, Parliament’s Education Service Manager as well as a selection of school pupils, were incredibly impressed by the project and all that the school council has achieved.

Six members of the Radyr school council have now been invited to represent the school at an awards day at the Houses of Parliament on Thursday, June 30 when the Cardiff students will have a chance to meet other successful school councils and share their ideas.

There will also be the opportunity to quiz a panel of special guests about the issues and themes of the winning projects and a tour of the Houses of Parliament.

Leader of Cardiff Council, Rodney Berman, said: “I’m delighted that Radyr Comprehensive’s school council has been recognised in such a prestigious award scheme. I was more than happy to lend my support to their campaign and hope that the project continues to grow and succeed.”

Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway, said: “There is a great deal of excellent work going on in Cardiff schools to promote equality and tackle bullying.

I’m really pleased to see young people prepared to stand up and make a stand for their peers. The Domino Project is a very worthwhile campaign and this award is well-deserved.”

Nia Morgan, School Council link teacher at Radyr Comprehensive, said: “I am extremely proud of the students and what they have achieved within our school and the wider community. I hope that the Domino Project will go from strength to strength and that other schools will be inspired by the work and participate.”