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.

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

Culture 2014, Glasgow 2014

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Festival 2014 Performance Opportunities

April 24, 2014 User deactivated 2 Comments

– DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY 9th MAY –

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games aren’t just about the top class sporting action, there’s a whole host of cultural activity too and this is the chance for groups from your school to get involved…

Festival 2014 is a huge Games Time celebration in Glasgow running alongside the sporting action. It will transform the city from 19 July to 3 August with an invigorating mix of entertainment, culture and enjoyment filling the streets, spaces and stages of Glasgow. The highlight of Festival 2014 will be three specially created Live Zones, one at Glasgow Green, one in the Merchant City and a third at Kelvingrove Bandstand. Here you will be able to experience the buzz of the Games, watch live sport on big screens, participate in arts and sports, and watch music, dance, comedy and film in outdoor stages and spaces specially designed to put you at the heart of the Games experience, at the heart of the city.

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve been working with organisers to offer outstanding performance-based groups from the education sector the opportunity to showcase their talent in Glasgow during the Games. If you have groups in your school or centre who excel in music, dance or theatre then please read the supporting brief and complete the expression of interest form attaching any supporting media (e.g sound clip/video/pictures) and submit electronically to the address contained within no later than 5pm on Friday 9th May.

The opportunity is open to groups from primary, secondary and special schools, colleges and universities in Scotland, as wells as groups from uniformed youth organisations.

Expressive Arts, Performance opportunity

Entertain the Athletes at the Games

April 2, 2014 User deactivated Leave a comment

Think you’ve got what it takes to entertain the world’s best athletes? Well, the Glasgow 2014 organising committee wants to hear from you!

Over the 11 days of the Games, they are looking to showcase the best of Scottish talent and to embrace the culture and traditions of the Commonwealth Countries at the Commonwealth Games Village. The Village will include a fun packed, energetic and exciting programme of events and performances to entertain our athletes and team officials during their stay. They welcome interest from variety of performers as they seek to make this opportunity as diverse as possible, creating a unique and memorable experience for our visiting Athletes. Whilst music and dance are likely to feature, they’re open to your creative entertainment suggestions. Interested? Well here’s the important information you need to know…

Dates: 23rd July – 3rd August 2014
Timex: 12.00pm – 23.00pm (depending on type of performance)
Length of performance: Vary depending on entertainment, no longer than 2 hours
Location: International Zone, recreational centres, village green – based at the Commonwealth Village
Open to: Performers aged 16+ (with chaperones where required)

Limitations: Due to the operational security requirements for the Games, access to the Village for performances will be subject to security procedures, including a system of accreditation developed by Glasgow 2014. Groups should also be prepared to organise and fund their own travel to Glasgow during the Games.

Timeline: Expressions of interest using this form should be returned to laura.bryan@glasgow2014.com by 30th April.

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.