All posts by K. Mayer

Art, Glasgow 2014, partnership

Games Charity song released at St Anne’s Primary School (Glasgow)

April 30, 2014 K. Mayer Leave a comment

East 40, children forms schools in the East End of Glasgow today released “Let the Games Begin“, a single in aid of UNICEF, to celebrate the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Young stars form nursery, primary and secondary schools across the East End of Glasgow performed the song live for the first time with Freddie Cowan, lead guitarist from the Vaccines.

In an extraordinary partnership collaboration between St Mungo’s Learning Community, some of Scotland’s finest musicians including Scott Hutchison (Frightened Rabbits), Paul Thomson (Franz Ferdinand), local writer Jonathan Carr and the artist Gerard M Burns learners across all ages and abilities created an inspirational piece of music which will be at the heart of the Games Charity UNICEF’s fundraising efforts.

The song is available for download from iTunes https://itun.es/i66Q6jG

Active

Commonwealth Games inspire Woodland Workout

April 29, 2014 K. Mayer Leave a comment

Forestry Commission Scotland is encouraging young people to feel the benefit of the Commonwealth Games with a new Woodland Workout pack.

Targeted at 3-14 year olds the pack promotes opportunities for quality, fun and safe physical activity in the outdoors and includes ideas for games, physical activities and staging ‘adapted’ Commonwealth sports in the woodlands.

Sally York, the Commission’s Education Policy Advisor, said:

“Children and young people are going to get really enthused and excited about a lot of sports when the Commonwealth Games start in the summer. They’re going to want to get active and maybe try out some of those sports and this pack is a way for teachers and schools to tap into that enthusiasm in a fun way.

“All of the activities featured in the Woodland Workout – including the adapted Commonwealth Games sports – can be enjoyed at any time and it’s a great way to let children (aged 3-14 years) participate in enjoyable learning experiences that will develop enterprising knowledge, skills and attitudes and promote physical health and wellbeing.

“With a relaxing and invigorating atmosphere, local woodlands offer the best backdrop for the activities but the idea is to be active outdoors so school grounds – or any nearby green spaces – are just as good. There are no templates or correct answers in nature so using the natural environment encourages children to cooperate and arrive at a ‘best-fit’ solution to problems and challenges.

The pack, complete with teachers’ guide, encourages young people to have fun but to also be responsible for their well-being and consider risk. As well as considering potential hazards in their activity space and taking risks with solving problems, it also allows children the chance to learn how to manage ‘failure’ through reflecting on performance to set new challenges.

The Woodland Workout, with Commonwealth Games supplement (WW(CG)) has been issued to schools across Scotland and is available for download at http://ow.ly/whhOL

curriculum, Educational resources, International Education, partnership

Red Cross – Commonwealth Games Resource available now!

April 28, 2014 K. Mayer Leave a comment

What is the connection between the Commonwealth Games and asylum-seekers and refugees? The answer is all in the welcome.

The British Red Cross have created a resource which explores the themes of welcome and cultural understanding in the run up to the Commonwealth Games. You can choose from a selection of quick activities featuring lesson starters and quick explorations for tutor time.

Find out more:

http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Teaching-resources/Lesson-plans/Commonwealth-Games-welcome

International Education, partnership, The Commonwealth Class

The BBC Commonwealth Class Finale, 24 July, Glasgow!

April 1, 2014 K. Mayer Leave a comment

BBC at the Quay is a 16-day festival running alongside the Commonwealth Games. A number of radio and TV programmes will be broadcasting from tents outside BBC Scotland headquarters at Pacific Quay, Glasgow. Commonwealth Class will also be part of this festival. We’ll be bringing together our Commonwealth Class students to talk about some of the issues that the youth of the Commonwealth face. We’re looking for children and young people aged between 10 – 17 years old – from as many of the Commonwealth nations and territories as possible – to be part of the audience to discuss issues with each other and our panel of guests. Please email commonwealthclass@bbc.co.uk to let us know if your school plans to visit Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games and you’d be interested in taking part in the audience at our live event.

event

Game On Scotland Event: Promoting Equality and Diversity, 7 May, Glasgow

April 1, 2014 K. Mayer Leave a comment

When? 9.15 – 3.00, 7th May 2014
Where? Hampden National Stadium

Who should attend?
Teachers and senior managers in all schools, Equality Co-ordinators, and those with a whole school responsibility for Games Legacy, including cluster initiatives, community learning and wider curriculum remits related to the Games (e.g. health and wellbeing). In addition it is relevant for those with a wider global citizenship remit and a particular interest in diversity and equality, tackling sectarianism and human rights issues.

About the event:
With Scotland’s biggest ever cultural and multi-sport event so close we would like to invite practitioners to join us and find out more about pertinent issues related to the Commonwealth Games. Reflecting on the three core values of the Commonwealth Games Federation, humanity, equality and destiny, the conference will provide delegates with a speakers and workshops focused on values education in a global context as well as the inclusion of all.
The event will showcase inspirational initiatives from schools and third sector organisations across the board and highlight programmes available to teachers to ensuring that, together, we deliver a lasting legacy for learning. The addresses will be delivered by a number of inspirational speakers covering a wider range of topics from para-sport, tackling sectarianism, inequality and discrimination through the common goals of the Commonwealth and rights based education. A variety of engaging workshops delivered by practitioners and organisations experienced in Games Legacy work will provide practical, hands-on exemplification on the impact of using the Games as a context for learning.

Workshop sessions will include:
Tackling Sectarianism- Bringing communities together in celebration of Glasgow 2014 (Trinity High School and Stonelaw High School, South Lanarkshire)

Promoting the Inclusion of all – Celebrating the games together across Primary, Secondary and Special Schools (Cardinal Winning Secondary School)

Right’s based education – Learning about our rights and the rights of others throughout the Commonwealth (Education Scotland, Rights Support and Wellbeing Team & UNICEF)

Tackling LGBT inequality across the Commonwealth – A CPD opportunity for all (John Naples Campbell, Edinburgh College, GTC professional recognition)

Connecting Classrooms – working in partnership with Commonwealth countries (British Council and Dumbarton Academy)

Commonwealth Class – Bringing together young people across the Commonwealth to promote diversity through debate, resources, competitions and activities (BBC and British Council)

Athlete’s Stories- a reflective discussion on how we as practitioners approach inclusion for all (Scottish Disability Athletes: Johnathon Paterson, Meggan Dawson Farrell and Stefan Hoggan and Theresa Campbell, Education Scotland)

Access the GOS Equality and Diversity Event 7 May programme final here.

How to register:
We invite you to join us for an inspirational day of sharing and collaborative thinking around a variety of exciting opportunities by registering for the event on line or directly with Diane Carson: Diane.Carson@educationscotland.gov.uk .

Culture 2014, Glasgow 2014

Participation in the Commonwealth Games Ceremonies!

April 1, 2014 K. Mayer 2 Comments

There is still time to become part of the cast for the Ceremonies: Apply by 18 April here .

On July 23 the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will officially launch Glasgow and Scotland’s biggest-ever festival of sport and culture. At the heart of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be the 3000 people who will make up the cast which will be performing on these unforgettable occasions – and you could be one of them. It’ll be a once in a lifetime opportunity to get involved in one of Glasgow’s biggest ever parties.

Brand new auditions will take place at the end of April, and we are particularly interested in male volunteers, and people under 45. If you missed out on the first lot of auditions back in March, this is your last chance to get involved. The group auditions are energetic, fun and all you need is bags of enthusiasm, and a bit of commitment to attend rehearsals.

Financial support to assist with costs is available on an application basis to successful cast members and will be targeted to assist participation in the ceremonies by those facing challenges meeting costs including independent living support, carer costs, childcare, travel to Glasgow and ensure that they can complete their experience. The funding will be independently administered by Volunteer Scotland and Voluntary Arts Scotland which has developed detailed application criteria. For further information please contact info@volunteersupportpot.org.uk .

You don’t need to have previous experience as we will teach you all you need to know.. Bring your personality, commitment and maybe even a friend along to one of our group auditions and start the experience of a lifetime. Apply by 18 April here .

Applicants must be aged 18 and over.

Educational resources, Literacy

New Gaelic resource pack for Commonwealth Games available now!

March 17, 2014 K. Mayer Leave a comment

We are delighted to announce that Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, with support from Education Scotland, are distributing a colourful Gaelic resource pack on the Commonwealth Games.

The pack includes a poster with the Commonwealth flags; a poster showing the 17 sports which will be at the Glasgow Games; stickers suitable for sport, such as A’ Chiad Àite, Tha mise math ann an sgioba, Bhuannaich sinne! (First Place; I’m a good team player; We won!) and two sets of cards about the sports at the Games and about the Commonwealth countries.

The cards convey information in a way which will encourage the Gaelic reading, comprehension and speaking of the pupils, and there are assignments for them to do too. There are questions on lifeskills maths, and plenty opportunities for research. The findings can be presented in a variety of ways such as reports, web pages and podcasts.

There is differentiation in the maths work, and it is expected that pupils will work to their own level in the other activities. There will be something for everyone, whether working on their own or in a group, and with the help of the cards, pupils will be able to speak in some depth about the sports and about the countries which are part of the Commonwealth.

Teacher’s Notes with suggestions for using the resources, sample questions, country data, and links which will help with the research, are available on the Stòrlann website. We are also organising a competition with cool prizes in conjunction with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and interactive on-line games.

We hope there will be plenty winners with this Commonwealth Games pack!

Active, Award, Game On Challenge

Athlete Visits Programme for Schools

March 13, 2014 K. Mayer 1 Comment

As part of providing exciting learning opportunities around the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Game On Scotland is delighted to announce that we are able to offer 100 education establishments across Scotland the chance to receive a visit by a Scottish athlete in the run up to the Games.

What might an athlete’s visit look like?

The format of each visit will be negotiated between the individual athlete and the school, but may include the following:

• Whole school/year group assemblies: The athlete may participate in assemblies by providing the inspirational address for the day (eg. share their story, provide a key message, support a Commonwealth themed event, hand out awards such as the Game On Scotland Plaque)
• Focus group input: This may involve an athlete visiting a specific class, target group (eg. school ambassadors or senior coaching classes) sharing his or her experiences and engaging in a question and answer session.
• Active engagement: This provides an opportunity to share some of the expertise of athletes in their distinct area and may involve coaching sessions, skills development or offering taster sessions.

All visits will be arranged on a one-off basis. For more in depth athlete engagements please see the Champions in Schools programme. However we aim to match athletes to education establishments within their reasonable travel distance to allow for the possibility of longer term educational partnerships.

When will the visits take place?

Visits will take place from the end of March until the end of June. The closing date for the first round of application is the 21 March and for this round visits will be allocated on a ‘first come-first serve’ basis. A second round will become available soon thereafter.

How to enter:

All education establishments in Scotland who have posted a Game On Challenge are eligible to enter a prize draw to receive a visit by a Scottish athlete, though secondary schools will receive priority.

To apply for a visit simply complete this brief survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SW93KDZ

Are there any costs involved?

There is no cost to any school which participates, other than any costs resulting from individual programme arrangements (e.g. athlete lunch). Such costs will have to be covered by the participating education establishment.

Can I request a specific athlete/focus sport?

The aim of this initiative is to provide inspiration and generic insight into the life and work of a professional athlete. Much of the input will focus on a wider skills agenda and generic dispositions or values (eg. determination, aspiration, fairness and sportsmanship). We will not be able to guarantee visits by specific athletes from a particular sport, however we will take a school’s particular sporting interests into account when matching athletes.

The Commonwealth Class

The World’s Biggest Assembly – Commonwealth Day

March 6, 2014 K. Mayer Leave a comment

Monday 10th March is Commonwealth Day and Game On Scotland is encouraging schools and youth groups to Sport Your Trainers to show your support for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. It’s also a great opportunity to link to wider learning about the Commonwealth and our friends from the Commonwealth Class project have a great initiative which could link very neatly.

Tens of thousands of children and young people, representing hundreds of schools from over 30 countries, will take part in the World’s Biggest Assembly on 10 March. Follow the five easy steps the project has outlined to learn more about the Commonwealth and celebrate the special day.

Follow the five easy steps:
1. Choose a theme for your assembly
a) Life in a Commonwealth country
b) One or more of the Commonwealth values:
• human rights
• protecting the environment
• access to health, education, food and shelter
• gender equality
• importance of young people
• tolerance, respect and understanding
• peace and conflict resolution
• freedom of expression
• rule of law
c) Commonwealth athletes and their preparation for the 2014 Glasgow Games
2. Plan your assembly
Get your pupils involved at this stage. You can find Commonwealth Class resources and films on the British Council and BBC websites.
3. Invite guests
Contact parents, school governors, your MP, local councillor and the media.
4. Hold your assembly on Commonwealth Day, 10 March
If you have a partner school in a Commonwealth country, perhaps you could organise a joint assembly through video link.
5. Tell the organisers about it – before, during and after
a) Tell them about your plans by emailing schools@britishcouncil.org.
b) Contact organisers on the day by email or on social media (Facebook and Twitter) with photos and details of your activity. Use #CommonwealthClass in your tweet.
c) After your assembly, share photos and / or pupil reports with completed permission

Award, Game On Challenge, Game On Scotland Plaque, Holly Cram, Legacy 2014, Uncategorized

Holly and Clyde Islands’ Tour a great success!

March 4, 2014 K. Mayer Leave a comment

As part of the Legacy 2014 Week, Game On Scotland visited the Shetland, Orkney and Western Isles. Both Clyde and Holly Cram, Scottish international hockey star and ambassador for the education programme, visited a large number of schools to recognise their creative engagement of learners around the Commonwealth Games. Between them they visited over 30 schools and youth clubs, addressed assemblies and handed out over 10 plaques. Holly addressed all secondary and a number of primary schools in the Western Isles providing inspirational talks as well as practical hockey sessions.
The tour was very well received by pupils and staff alike and created real excitement as schools are gearing up towards the Games in July.