Category Archives: Game On Challenge

Clyde, Game On Challenge, Holly Cram, plaque

Seven more schools awarded plaques

January 31, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Today has been the busiest day of Clyde’s tour so far. Clyde visited five schools and all of them were presented with Game Scotland plaques and our Game On Scotland ambassador, Holly Cram, also presented a plaque to another two schools – seven in one day! Clyde began the day by awarding East Renfrewshire’s first plaque to Busby Primary School, before moving on to visit four Glasgow schools: St Fillan’s Primary, Cardinal Winning Secondary, St Joachim’s Primary and Eastmuir Primary. Cllr Archie Graham of Glasgow City Council joined Clyde to present the plaques to four of the schools and Holly also visited Lourdes Secondary and Shawlands Academy to present their plaques. It’s been an exciting and hectic day!

All seven schools are to be congratulated on the way they have used the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as a context for learning, and in such different ways.

If your school would like to receive a Game On Scotland plaque (as well as a range of other benefits, including mascot visits), then make sure you register a Game On Challenge, telling us about your plans.

Clyde, Game On Challenge, plaque

Kirkton of Largo and Glamis awarded plaques

January 29, 2014 User deactivated 1 Comment

On day three of his Game On Scotland tour, Clyde was out and about visiting schools in Fife and Tayside and two of the schools visited were also awarded Game On Scotland plaques. Kirkton of Largo Primary School is the first Fife school to receive a plaque for their outstanding Games-related work, with Glamis Primary taking the honours for Angus. Congratulations to both!

The Queen’s Baton Relay has been a major focus for Kirkton of Largo, with pupils tracking the progress of the baton around the 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth and posting updates on Twitter. These updates led to Vision Africa, a charitable organisation, offering to take the pupils’ baton to Kenya, where it featured in the real Queen’s Baton Relay alongside famous Kenyan athlete Kipchoge Keino. The school has also been engaged in researching the countries of the Commonwealth, has signed up to the Digital Commonwealth project and even featured Clyde in their nativity! You can follow the school’s updates on Twitter at @KirktonPS, including lots of photos of Clyde’s visit.

Glamis Primary pupils have been set 30 Commonwealth Games challenges, linked to sports but extending out across the curriculum. From boxing to lawn bowls, they’ve been working on peer-led projects and even involved families and the local community. In the words of one teacher, their work has spread “Commonwealth Fever” throughout the school. The school will be continuing its work right up to the end of session, with more pupils set to be involved as their activities build to a climax.

Clyde, Game On Challenge, plaque

North East schools Airyhall and Meiklemill receive plaques

January 28, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

On the north east leg of his latest Game On Scotland tour, Glasgow 2014 mascot Clyde was pleased to recognise the efforts of another two primary schools: Airyhall School in Aberdeen City and Meiklemill School in Aberdeenshire. Both schools became the first in their local authorities to have their achievements recognised in this way.

Pupils from nursery through to P7 at Airyhall have been getting active, with taster sessions in rugby, football and even Zumba! They’ve also nominated their own batonbearers for a school network Commonwealth Games and designed doors for each class, reflecting traditions and customs from different nations and territories of the Commonwealth. The school has been counting down to the Games with lots of other exciting activities and has been tracking the progress of the Queen’s Baton Relay, ahead of their own version across their school network.

Meiklemill School has been nothing if not ambitious, engaging in a huge amount of activity related to the Games. Like Airyhall School, there’s simply too much to mention! Highlights include active challenges as part of the school’s Health Week, including 2014 skips, a 2014m collective walk and a simulated bike ride from Ellon to Glasgow. As well as learning about the Commonwealth and work on the Queen’s Baton Relay, they’ve also made great use of Clyde as inspiration in the school, so were no doubt delighted to welcome him in person.

Both schools deserve congratulations for what they’ve achieved and, excitingly, they’ve outlined lots more activity still to come before the end of session.

Clyde, Game On Challenge, plaque

Two more schools receive plaques: Gargieston Primary and Fisherton Primary

January 27, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Glasgow 2014 mascot Clyde was out and about today visiting primary schools in Ayrshire and made time to present the latest Game On Scotland plaques to two more schools. Gargieston Primary School in Kilmarnock became the first East Ayrshire school to be recognised, with Fisherton Primary School in Dunure the first South Ayrshire school to get their plaque.

Both schools have been using the Games as a context for learning across the school and have well-developed plans for even more work in the terms ahead. Congratulations are due to both schools for all their hard work!

Award, Game On Challenge, Holly Cram

Oban High School – first to receive plaque in Argyll and Bute

January 17, 2014 K. Mayer 1 Comment

Oban HS Plaque — Image courtesy of Oban Times

Oban High School is the first school in Argyll and Bute to receive the Game On Scotland plaque for the challenges it has set itself to provide exciting learning opportunities around the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the legacy it believes this will create for young people, the school and its wider community. The plaque has been handed to the head teacher, Peter Bain, by the Game On Scotland ambassador, Holly Cram. Holly says: Oban High School’s commitment to providing a variety of exciting leaning opportunities around the Games and its dedication to improving learners’ health and wellbeing well beyond the Games is commendable. We hope many other schools in Argyll and Bute will be encouraged by the school’s challenge posted on Game On Scotland and join the many establishments across the Commonwealth in creating and sharing their own learning experiences.”

Oban High School has already engaged their learners in Games related activities ranging from a variety of challenges set for tutor groups to senior coaching classes. This will culminate in a cluster sports day in during the summer term. Murray Hamilton (PT- Health & Wellbeing) believes that the Games related activities will help to build a positive whole school ethos and healthier approach to life by young people. Murray says: We hope that the legacy of 2014 will live on and health and wellbeing will no longer have to be explained, it will be the norm!

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Pitlochry High School – third school to receive Game On Scotland Plaque

January 13, 2014 K. Mayer 1 Comment

Game On Scotland ambassador Holly Cram awarded Pitlochry High School with the Game On plaque for the challenges they have set themselves to creating exciting learning experiences in the wake of the Commonwealth Games.

The school has planned a whole year of challenges around the Games, ranging from inter-house activity days with Dragon’s Den presentations of their own mascot design to exploring the Commonwealth values. An extensive programme of sporting and outdoor initiatives support the agenda with swim- and bikeathons, extra curricular athletics, badminton competitions organised by the Youth Sport ambassadors, climbing, kayaking & mountaineering and even ‘Street Dance’ sessions. The school will conclude the year with two major events, the Primary Cluster and the High School Commonwealth Sports Day.

Congratulations and best wishes from the Game On Scotland team.

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Game On Scotland: 2013 in review

December 20, 2013 User deactivated Leave a comment

As we approach the final days before the year of the Games begins, it seems an appropriate time to provide an update on some of the achievements of Game On Scotland since its launch in May of this year. Over 1200 Scottish schools have already engaged with the programme in some way, along with numerous youth groups and organisations, and we’ve also engaged others from across the Commonwealth.

It’s certainly been busy and, of course, we expect it to get even busier in 2014, which is why we’re looking for some help. So before this year ends, let’s take a look back at some of 2013’s Game On Scotland facts and figures.

1st May 2013, Game On Scotland launch

It all started with a bang, as Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, joined Cllr Archie Graham from Glasgow City Council and David Grevemberg, CEO of Glasgow 2014, at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. With a helping hand from Clyde and Hillhead Primary School pupils, the Game On Scotland programme went live, with a particular focus on the Athletes’ Village Art Competition. This flagship competition still has a few places remaining for schools yet to sign up – register with us and your pupils’ artwork will appear in the bedrooms of the 6500 athletes and officials coming to Glasgow next year. Hurry though, the deadline for registration is 17th January (deadline for submission of artwork is 28th February).

Game On Challenge

279 schools and organisations have now told us about their Glasgow 2014 learning plans, by submitting their Game On Challenge. Although the majority come from Scotland, we now have 11 Commonwealth nations and territories represented, including St Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha, one of the smallest territories in the Commonwealth.

We’ve also begun awarding Game On Scotland plaques to schools who are successfully demonstrating just how exciting the Games can be as a context for learning. Congratulations again to Crown Primary School in Inverness and to Comely Park Primary School in Falkirk for their achievements. Your school could be next, simply by telling us how you’ll be learning using the Games in a Game On Challenge entry.

Game On Scotland Ambassador

Just this month we were delighted to announce Scottish hockey star Holly Cram as the first Game On Scotland ambassador. As well as her athletic achievements, Holly is a qualified PE teacher and currently coaches at Dollar Academy. As we begin 2014, Holly will be taking part in Glow Meets, speaking at events and visiting schools to promote the Game On Scotland programme and the Games.

Learning Journeys

There are now 35 learning journeys available in the resources section of the site, covering all curricular areas and appropriate for all stages. These resources are designed to offer ideas to use with your class or group. To date, these resources have been downloaded over 20,000 times by teachers and educators – assuming that each resource is used with 20 learners, that could be 400,000 young people engaging with the Games!

Some of the most popular learning journeys so far have been:

CPD Events and Glow Meets

We’ve successfully delivered two national CPD events for teachers and educators, in Glasgow and Inverness, with at least one more to follow, likely to be in Dundee in February next year. Feedback has been outstanding, with 97% of delegates rating as either excellent or very good in terms of usefulness. Keep a look out for information on the next event, which will be released early in the new year.

We’re also midway through a programme of Glow Meets, with CPD events at the beginning of each month and events for learners at the end. We’ve linked each month to a curricular area and these events bring a particular focus to the Games as a context. Next up in the series is our “Maths/Numeracy and Game On Scotland” CPD session on 7th January.

Game On Scotland network

Although everything on the Game On Scotland site is freely available, we encourage teachers and educators to sign up to the network. As the programme is constantly evolving, with new information, resources and opportunities added on a regular basis, signing up ensures you can keep up! 3,500 have already joined our mailing list and receive the monthly updates we send, highlighting the latest content – join them by registering here.

Anything else?

Well we’ve also been helping Clyde to visit schools around the country, supporting engagement with the Queen’s Baton Relay and promoting all sorts of other education opportunities. It’s been a busy eight months, but there’s a lot more to come in the next eight as we set our sights on the largest multi-sport and cultural event ever to come to Scotland – if you haven’t already joined in the excitement, then sign up to play your part and get ready for Game On Scotland!

Award, Game On Challenge

Scottish Education Awards 2014 – Category ‘Commonwealth Games’

December 12, 2013 K. Mayer Leave a comment

Nominations for the 2014 Scottish Education Awards are now open and this year any school involved in work around the Commonwealth Games and its legacy will have a unique chance to win! This of course applies particularly to schools who have already posted a Game On Challenge on our website.

Join our athletes in competing for the top award in 2014!

The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, 21 February 2014. For more information and to see the full list of categories, please visit the Scottish Education Awards website.

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Holly Cram announced as Game On Ambassador

December 12, 2013 User deactivated Leave a comment

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.

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Crown Primary School first across the line

November 25, 2013 User deactivated 2 Comments

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.