Highland school recognised for Games-related learning

Crown Primary School in Inverness became the first education establishment to receive an official Game On Scotland plaque for their innovative learning initiatives using the Commonwealth Games as a context. Ms Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport presented the award to the school today (Monday 25 November) in a special ceremony.

The school has embraced the Games as an exciting opportunity to deepen all of their learners’ understanding of what it means to be global citizens and the values of fairness and justice as well as a wide range of practical skills, from reporting to enterprise. The school also has an active sports culture that promotes health and wellbeing.

P7 pupils shared with the Minister how Scotland’s Games are inspiring their learning, including:

• displays on Values work
• Athletes’ Village Art Competition entries
• storytelling from countries around the Commonwealth
• Citizenship group work including a class world map tracking the Queen’s Baton Relay.

Ms Robison commented, “We are working hard to ensure that we grasp the unique opportunity that the Commonwealth Games will present in 2014 to inspire children and young people. One clear legacy of the Games is the chance to encourage young people to be the best they can be and the Game on Scotland programme offers a broad range of resources, information and opportunities to assist in learning.

I am delighted to be able to present this award to Crown Primary School. They are a true example of how schools can use The Commonwealth Games in a motivating, inspiring and fun context for learning across the curriculum. It has been a fantastic opportunity to see the young people embrace Scotland’s Games so enthusiastically and in such a positive way”

Alison Drever, Senior Education Officer at Education Scotland said: “It is fantastic to see such an innovative response to Game On Scotland and particularly the Game On Challenge. We know there are lots of schools who are demonstrating really creative approaches to using the Games as a context for learning and we look forward to awarding more plaques over the coming months.”

Schools in Scotland, and across the Commonwealth, are encouraged to upload their own Game On Challenge at www.gameonscotland.org – by doing so they will be eligible for a plaque of their own, as well as a range of other exciting benefits and rewards.