Category Archives: Competition

Clyde, Competition, Game On Challenge, Holly Cram, Legacy 2014

Holly Cram announced as Game On Ambassador

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Holly with Shona Robison, Clyde and Comely Park pupils

Hockey player Holly Cram to support education legacy for Commonwealth Games

Scotland International hockey player Holly Cram has been confirmed today as the first ambassador for Game on Scotland – the official education programme for Glasgow 2014. As Game on Scotland ambassador, Holly will be involved in engaging directly with pupils across Scotland, as a positive role model she will talk at and attend various events such as school assemblies, award ceremonies and prize-givings, as well as Games themed learning events.

Speaking at Comely Park Primary School, Falkirk, where pupils enjoyed a hockey taster session led by Holly, Commonwealth Games and Sport Minister Shona Robison said,

“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’m delighted that Holly will join the programme as Ambassador, her drive and commitment as an athlete, makes her a great role model to inspire pupils and teachers alike. As well as her outstanding sporting achievements, she can talk knowledgably and credibly about achievement and attainment to inspire our young people.”

Holly Cram is a Scottish International and Glasgow Western Hockey Player. She has amassed over 140 caps for Scotland and previously competed for Team Scotland in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Holly has recently completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Education at Strathclyde University, recently qualified as at teacher and currently coaches at Dollar Academy. Speaking today, she said:

“Representing Team Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games is one of the highlights of my hockey career and to compete again at a home Games in Glasgow is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m already seeing the effect and legacy impact the Games is having on my home city, as well as across the whole of Scotland, and the organisers have done an incredible job so far.

“I’m thrilled to be coming on board also as an Ambassador for Game on Scotland, to help spread learnings around the Games, and the impact they will have on our young people will be invaluable. Youngsters will be able to see first-hand how hard work and a little self-belief can make anyone successful.”

Alison Drever, Senior Education Officer at Education Scotland said,

“We are delighted to welcome Holly to the programme, especially today when we are awarding the second Game on Scotland plaque. The school has whole-heartedly embraced the Games to develop the understanding of what it means to be a global citizen, and is creating unique learning opportunities for their young people.”

Glasgow 2014 mascot Clyde joined in the fun, too, as Comely Park had won a recent competition to receive a visit from the cheeky thistle. The school was also presented with the second Game on Scotland plaque, for its far reaching plans to develop a whole school focus on global citizenship and health and wellbeing through engaging with the Commonwealth Games. Your school can also receive a plaque, by telling us about your exciting Games-related learning plans in the Game On Challenge.

Competition, International Education, International partnerships, The Commonwealth Class

UK Schools needed for Commonwealth Class Competition

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Commonwealth Class are searching for fifteen UK schools to take part in a special element of the programme which will see them placed into teams with nine other schools from across the Commonwealth.

Teams will work on a series of monthly collaborative projects between January and May 2014 with prizes given for the best work each month. The project can be carried out within your school as a single class or organised across subjects or year groups. Schools must be able to commit to spending at least one lesson per week on the project. Monthly project activities will lead up to a celebration of the work at the end of May 2014. This could be an online gallery, a film, a book or a blog that will be judged and an overall winning team will be selected. Each school from the winning team will be invited to send one teacher and one student (aged 10 or above) to visit Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games in July/August 2014!

During the project each team will follow the progress of a Commonwealth athlete as they prepare to compete at Glasgow 2014. Athletes that have signed up include Olympic Triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee, Team Scotland athlete Eilidh Child, the fastest man in the world Usain Bolt and the British Council’s own Susie Rodgers. Depending on the athletes’ schedule, schools will have the chance to communicate with them as they train for The Games.

Organisers are looking for the most committed and enthusiastic schools for this unique and exciting project. To apply for a place in a Commonwealth Class team you should complete the application form and return to the address noted within, by Friday 20 December. Places will be given to the schools that in 200 words best say why they want to take part in Commonwealth Class and how joining the project will benefit their school community.

If you are not selected for a team there’s still plenty of opportunities for your school to take part in Commonwealth Class. The education pack is an excellent resource to introduce your class to the Commonwealth and its values, and you can download a PDF copy by visiting British Council Schools Online. The weekly BBC debates are a great opportunity for your students to converse with their peers in real time. The debates so far have been lively discussions on themes including importance of learning languages and island living. At the next debate on Thursday 12 December they’ll be discussing the effects of sport on self-esteem and confidence. Your class can contribute to the discussion on Thursday by emailing comments to the BBC debate moderators at commonwealthclass@bbc.co.uk.

Commonwealth Class is a project of the BBC, British Council and Commonwealth Secretariat.

Clyde, Competition

Congratulations!

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The Game on Scotland team wishes to congratulate Louise Johnston from Torphichen Primary School, Bathgate, West Lothian who won the signed Libby Clegg poster donated by Team Scotland. Louise’s name was randomly selected from those 110 people who signed up to Game on Scotland in November.    

There are many more opportunities to win through Game On Scotland from Art Competitions to visits from Athletes and Clyde .  If you want to be kept in the loop about what’s on offer why not become part of the Game On Scotland family by signing up to our regular e-updates.

For other poster downloads please visit the Go Scotland website.

Competition, International Education, International partnerships, Literacy

Youth Leadership programme: 33Fifty

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33Fifty is a leadership programme for young Commonwealth citizens aged between 18 and 25. Devised by a partnership of the Royal Commonwealth Society and social enterprise Common Purpose, the programme aims to develop young people to lead change and use the Commonwealth’s networks to greater effect. The name of the initiative is derived from the statistics that 33 percent of the world’s population live in a Commonwealth nation or territory, and 50 per cent of those are under 25 years old.

The programme will involve participants in a range of practical activities in July 2014, focused around a challenge relating to an issue of importance to all Commonwealth countries – “what role does the youth of the Commonwealth need to play in progress towards low-carbon economies”.

Organisers are inviting young people, aged 18-25 on the 17th July 2014, to apply to become part of the programme. Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 16th March 2014. The programme will bring together 100 young people, from Scotland and from the wider Commonwealth, to investigate, discuss and prepare some conclusions on the key challenge issue. Participants will then present their responses to some of the senior politicians who have gathered in Glasgow for CG2014.

The programme has attracted funding from both Scottish Government and commercial sponsors. It forms part of the cultural legacy of CG2014, and was launched in Scotland last week by Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport.

Competition, The Commonwealth Class

Commonwealth Class – Debates and Competition!

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Make the most of the 2014 Commonwealth Games by connecting your school to Commonwealth Class.

The BBC, the British Council and the Commonwealth Secretariat are working together to bring Commonwealth Class to schools across the world. The project is aimed at 7 – 14 year olds and provides online teaching resources and interactive activities for schools to mark the run up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Focusing on Commonwealth values and topical issues from a global perspective, Commonwealth Class will help connect young people around the world to learn together about how to be effective, responsible global citizens. Connect your classroom – sign up at www.bbc.co.uk/commonwealthclass

COMPETITION: SCHOOL STORIES

 We have launched a competition for schools to win the chance to work with a BBC crew to make a film in their community. We are searching for the best stories from around the Commonwealth which share what it means to be a global citizen and which best reflect the Commonwealth values. Further details and how to enter: www.bbc.co.uk/worldclass/24574326

ONLINE DEBATES

We also hold monthly online debates to provide an opportunity for young people to share their views on topics such as tolerance and respect, democracy, exam stress, making a living and gender equality. We would love your school to join us for the regular online debates. The next debates planned are as follows:

  •  Thursday 31st October – in association with Authors Live and the Scottish Book Trust, a debate inspired by storytellers from around the Commonwealth. Writers Lari Don, Peter Chand and Mara Menzies share their stories.
  • Thursday 14th November – a debate based around the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 in Sri Lanka.
  • Thursday 21st November – a language debate to mark International Education Week 2013.
  • Thursday 28th November – in association with Authors Live and the Scottish Book Trust, a debate related to a live event with Mairi Hedderwick, author of the Katie Morag stories.

 Previous debates have included contributions from pupils in Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Pakistan and South Africa, as well as across the UK.

 It’s easy to take part in class — watch the film, discuss the issues and email your comments to us at commonwealthclass@bbc.co.uk

Competition, Glasgow 2014, Legacy 2014, Uncategorized

Commonwealth Games Village – 1 Year Out

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Commonwealth Games Village Zones

With less than a year to go until 4,500 top-class athletes from across the Commonwealth take up residence in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Village, 85% of the homes are already complete. The state-of-the-art facility will also feature a medical centre, shops, recreation areas and 24-hour dining facilities.

The site is Scotland’s first large-scale carbon neutral housing development and will begin its transformation for Games-mode at the start of next year. The Glasgow 2014 Athletes’ Advisory Committee has been involved throughout the design stages of the project to ensure that it is more than just a bed between training and competition.

Athletes and officials will be accommodated within a range of properties – from terraced homes, to contemporary cubed townhouses – within the 35 hectare site which has been developed by City Legacy – a private sector consortium which is working with Glasgow City Council.

It was revealed on Friday (12/07) that at Games-time the Village site will be zoned and has four different areas appropriately named with a Scottish flavour as Clan, Castle, Mountain and Loch.

Ensuring the smooth operating of a Games village is a mammoth logistical task, requiring precision planning. In food terms alone more than 390,000 village meals will be served with more than 2,000 different menu items including 11,600 kg of mushrooms, 10,000 kg of garlic and 500,000 pieces of fruit.

Also expected to be used are:
– 30,000 towels
– 26,000 bed sheets and 12,600 pillow cases
– 20,000 toilet rolls
– 100,000 bin liners
– 1,400 litres of liquid soap

After the Games, the Athletes’ Village will leave a lasting legacy for the people of Glasgow as 700 homes will be available – 300 for private sale and 400 affordable houses for rental.

Thanks to Game On Scotland, your school can get involved, too, by signing up to our Athletes’ Village Art Competition. Every school which takes part will have its pupils’ work displayed in the bedrooms of the athletes and officials – make sure you grab your chance to be part of the action!

Art, Competition, curriculum, Games Legacy, Glasgow 2014

Glasgow 2014 Athletes’ Village Art Competition – register your interest now!

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Game On Scotland is asking every school in Scotland to get their pupils to design posters to be placed in the rooms of the Athletes’ Village. We’ll guarantee to every individual school that takes part that their chosen artwork will be displayed in the village – your pupils’ work could end up in the bedroom of Usain Bolt, Tom Daley or any of the talented athletes coming to Scotland from all over the world. 

At the end of the Games, athletes and officials will be encouraged to take your art as a gift from the people of Scotland and, excitingly, to write back to you offering their thanks. 

Pre-register you interest for the competition now.

Clyde, Competition, Glasgow 2014

Game On Challenge – put your goals for 2014 on the map

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Is your school or organisation planning to mark the Commonwealth Games with a specific initiative? A fun run or sports day perhaps? Getting involved in the Queen’s Baton Relay? A whole school initiative? Or is your local authority running a Mini Games programme?

No matter how big or small your Games related initiatives are we invite you to share them through the Game On Challenge and add to the excitement now building towards Glasgow 2014, the biggest multi-sporting event ever hosted in Scotland.

Benefits of taking the Game On Challenge

  • Your school/organisation will be showcased on the Game On Challenge interactive map alongside other entries from across the UK and beyond. This will provide others with ideas and inspiration for learning through the Games.
  • Every school and organisation that takes part will receive an official ‘Game On Scotland’ certificate.
  • Education establishments may also be eligible for a Game On Scotland plaque in recognition of imaginative ways they have used the Games as a context for learning.
  • All entries will be in with a chance to win exclusive Glasgow 2014 prizes.
  • Scottish schools who sign up by the 24 May will be entered into a free prize draw to receive a visit from Clyde, the official mascot for the Games.

How do we share our challenge?

Simply visit the Take the challenge page and complete the form.