Category Archives: International Education

Gold medalist sends inspirational note to pupil

August 11, 2014 K. Mayer

The 100 and 200 meters Gold medallist Blessing Okagbare sent Scottish pupil Kaila Gallacher (P7) from St Cuthbert’s Primary School in South Lanarkshire an inspirational note (see below) on her departure. Kaili’s art work was displayed in Blessing’s room and she wrote the note on a postcard provided as part of the Athletes’ Village Art competition.

We believe Blessing’s message is worth sharing with you no matter what nationality, age or sporting inclination. It reads: “Whatever you choose to be in life, choose wisely, believe in yourself and goals and the sky will be your limit (positive Goals).”

Many thanks for your encouraging words, Blessing and our very best wishes for your future challenges.

The Game On Scotland Team

International Education, The Commonwealth Class

Commonwealth Class debates – last chance to join in!

May 29, 2014 K. Mayer

The last three Commonwealth Class debates before the end of term will take place from 11.00 – 13.00 on the following days

Thursday 5 June: Our Home and Native Land – Join us for a live debate which features our first Commonwealth Class School Stories competition-winning film! The film was made with a school in Canada and this debate will focus on indigenous people within Commonwealth Countries and how we protect our heritage.

Thursday 12 June – Authors Live: Going Wild with Steve Backshall – wildlife journalist, adventurer and writer Steve Backshall will talk about the conservation issues that feature in his action adventure books. Join us as we team up with Authors Live for a debate about animal and environmental conservation.

Thursday 19 June: A debate focusing on education which features our competition-winning film from a school in East Kilbride.

For more information please visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldclass/24727940

Culture 2014, Educational resources, International Education, International partnerships, Uncategorized

Commonwealth Connections – Vision Africa

May 9, 2014 User deactivated 2 Comments

Commonwealth Connections is a project by UK registered charity, Vision Africa. The Commonwealth Games Federation says the aim of the Games is “Uniting the Commonwealth through sport.”

The 2014 Games provide a unique opportunity for children in various Commonwealth countries to learn about themselves, each other and the countries which will be competing in the event.

Vision Africa works with disadvantaged children and young people in Kenya. Through Commonwealth Connections, the charity aim to give children a forum to find out the similarities as well as the differences between children in Kenya and the UK.

One of the aims of the project is to teach children that despite living in different economic circumstances, their fellow children often share the same dreams, enjoy the same activities and even eat some of the same foods.

As well as celebrating diversity, we hope that engaging in Commonwealth Connections will help young people realise they have a lot in common too.

Vision Africa have pulled together a range of resources including videos, photographs, activity sheets and information which are free to download.

Why not keep up to date with progress by following on Twitter @VisionAfrica or Facebook

Culture 2014, Expressive Arts, International Education, Maths

BBC School Radio programmes around the Commonwealth Games

May 9, 2014 K. Mayer Leave a comment

BBC Scotland Leanring has produce a number of school radio programmes which will focus on the Commonwealth Games over the coming weeks.
For First Level learners, Movement First takes in a tour of 5 Commonwealth countries through music, movement and imagination.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03g6hc9

For second level learners, Making the Commonwealth looks at the preparations for the Games and looks at the maths behind the tournament?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01yb2sg

Three more programmes in each series with new programme going out weekly on Thursday evening.

Programmes can be streamed from the site or downloaded for up to 1 year after they’ve been broadcast. We have a huge array of content for primary learners including features and radio dramas about Scottish History and Archaeology, the Referendum, Science, Myths and Legends, Bullying, as well as linkups with big stars like Nina and the Neurons and Dick and Dom! It’s a great way to bring active listening to the classroom and there are lots of opportunities for everyone in the class to get involved.

You can explore here:

(Early/1^st Level) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03g64r6/episodes/player

(2^nd Level) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03g64r7/episodes/player

Culture 2014, International Education, International partnerships

Letter from (North) America

May 2, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

This is the first in a brief blog series highlighting how partners across the Commonwealth, and indeed the globe are using Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as a context for learning.

Coinciding with the award of our first Game On Scotland plaque on foreign soil, we couldn’t resist the temptation to shine a spotlight on one of our Canadian school partners.

For Major Ballachey Elementary School in Brantford Ontario, participation in projects like Game On Challenge and Commonwealth Class provides a fantastically rich opportunity to foster a greater depth global awareness for students. Staff see it as a key component in their drive to cultivate a collective sense of pride and accomplishment for all students.

There is a real passion to share meaningfully with peers across the globe. Major Ballachey students decided the best way to do this was to create a series of short videos documenting life in and around the school. These provided the gateway to further collaboration with other Commonwealth schools.

Commonwealth Class has provided an unprecedented opportunity for students to interact directly with their peers across the globe. Participation in debates across international borders is invaluable as students strive to understand that the richness of our multiple identities are fundamental to the Commonwealth’s principles and approaches.

The Commonwealth is close to the heart for students at Major Ballachey. Located in Brantford, which itself is close to Hamilton, recognised as the birthplace of the British Empire Games, now the Commonwealth Games. This ensures students have a keen eye on the forthcoming games, the athletes and of course the VIP Baton event at which they were awarded their Game On Scotland plaque by Cabinet Secretary, Ms Shona Robison.

Game On Challenge, Game On Scotland Plaque, Games Legacy, International Education, International partnerships, Queen's Baton Relay, The Commonwealth Class

Game On Scotland Plaques Go International

May 2, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Trailblazers from a Highland primary joined in an online Commonwealth Games celebration with the first Canadian schools to get Game On Scotland awards.

Thanks to a virtual link up, Crown Primary School pupils in Inverness are able to swap experiences with three schools successfully being awarded Game On Scotland plaques in Toronto. Taking the total number of plaques awarded to over 100.

Crown Primary was the first worldwide to receive a Game On Scotland plaque, presented by Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison, last November so it was especially exciting for the youngsters to witness the first ever presentation of a Game On Scotland plaque abroad.

Ms Robison presented the schools with plaques on 1st May at Toronto’s Ryerson University. The Cabinet Secretary was on an official visit to Canada, coinciding with the Queen’s Baton Relay being in the country.

The awards and live link up came during a British Council-organised Commonwealth Sports Day in Toronto, a stopping point of the Queen’s Baton Relay. They are part of Commonwealth Class, a Supporting Legacy 2014 project, that is endorsed by Game On Scotland.

Inverness pupils and Canadian counterparts were able to put questions to the Cabinet Secretary as well as interact with Canadian athletes who will be coming to Glasgow to compete this summer.

The Highlands are twinned with Canada as part of the Support A 2nd Team initiative.

Ms Robison said: “It is fantastic to see the Game On Scotland precedent that was set so ably by Crown Primary School, being followed up today with these plaque awards in Toronto, among the first internationally.

“The Commonwealth Games is an inspirational springboard for learning activities around global citizenship, and encouraging young people to strive to be the very best they can be.

“Thanks to programmes like Commonwealth Class, and Support a 2nd Team, links can be forged across continents which I hope will endure as a lasting legacy beyond the Games.”

Game On Scotland provides a unique platform for schools and organisations to share their Commonwealth learning activities with an international audience. Over 700 schools and organisations across the globe have set themselves a challenge inspired by the sporting spectacle of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

It is so exciting to read of the creative and exciting learning opportunities for young people globally, to understand how the Commonwealth Games is an inspiration to them and gain insight into things which are important to them. There are so many really creative approaches to using the Commonwealth Games as a context for learning and we would like to share a few with you.

As a result of Game On Scotland, learners in Nyarach Primary School, Kenya will hold their first ever Sports day. In contrast, St. Francis Nursery and Primary School, Nigeria are keen to understand the importance of being part of Commonwealth. In the aspect of oneness, being connected together as part of the Global Village.

Bogra Zilla School in Bangladesh hope their links with a partner school will help them develop a deeper bond of brotherhood across the distance. There is a focus on Culture, of the educational ties between them as well as challenging one another in a mini games.

Milford School in Aukland, New Zealand are writing and performing a school production based on their journey to the Commonwealth Games. En-route, children will perform dances and musical items representing a range of countries as they investigate the true meaning of being involved in an event such as the Commonwealth Games.

Highgate International School in Cyprus have learners from 29 different nationalities. They are inspired by the Commonwealth Games to find out more about Scotland – its geography and rich history, putting famous explorers, inventors and sports stars in the spotlight.

With over 25 International partners representing a number of Commonwealth nations and territories already on the map there has never been a better time to make use of the advances in technology. There are fabulous opportunities for our learners to make connections with their peers around the world.

The British Council have over 80 years’ experience in promoting international cultural relationships whilst through BBC Commonwealth Class, learners from around the globe can link up to debate topical issues or embark on special projects.

Our message today is “it’s not too late to get involved!” Set your challenge where you are at, learners from Iochdar School, South Uist are particularly interested in the challenges facing rural communities across the Commonwealth. They want to encourage their community to develop a healthier lifestyle through a variety of physical challenges.

Whatever your challenge, big or small we would like you to share it with us giving your young people an opportunity to learn more about the values that shape our Commonwealth in 2014. In doing so, you can join Crown Primary, their Canadian partners and over 100 other education establishments in being awarded a Game On Scotland plaque in recognition of your achievements.

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.

Educational resources, Glasgow 2014, International Education, RME

Human Rights Day 2013

December 10, 2013 User deactivated Leave a comment

Today is international Human Rights Day, celebrated across the globe on 10 December every year. Sixty-five years ago on this date, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaiming its principles as the “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.”

The day has been marked by commemorative events across the globe and by the publication of a range of documents, including Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP), aimed at improving human rights protection in Scotland, and Glasgow 2014’s own plan for how it will approach human rights. Seventy nations and territories, representing one third of the world’s population – half of them under the age of 25 – will take part in the Games and the diversity of circumstances can make for an excellent link to discussion of human rights issues.

During the month of December, Game On Scotland is focusing on the Religious and Moral Education (RME) curricular area and the discussion of human rights can be an important part of this. On the Game On Scotland site, you’ll even find a learning journey designed to help explore human rights in the context of the Games. In addition, the next Glow meet for learners, part of our regular series, will take place on 17th December at 11am, again with an RME theme – sign up to take part here.