Pupils from a Swansea primary school have documented the city’s contribution to the Olympic and Paralympic Games over the years.
Children from St Thomas School’s years five and six have conducted interviews with athletes and coaches with links to Swansea to be included in a video set to be broadcast on Castle Square’s Big Screen later this week.
Former swimmer Martin Woodroffe, hurdler Berwyn Price and Paralympian David Roberts are among the stars interviewed. Pupils also interviewed world class judges and coaches like Alan Currie and Sam Hynds as well as cultural historian Peter Stead.
Composer and film-maker Andrew Griffiths from Ystradgynlais worked with the children to help put the video together. The video also includes a newly-composed song sung by the children themselves.
The project is part of the touring Following the Flame exhibition that Swansea Council has ensured is coming to the city’s Brangwyn Hall from June 12 to July 10. The exhibition forms part of the countdown to London 2012 and shows how Welsh sports stars have left an indelible mark on the history of the world’s most famous sporting competition.
The St Thomas pupils have edited their interviews and added quotations to a display that will form part of the wider exhibition. They’ve also drawn cartoons of the stars they interviewed and designed panels for display when the exhibition arrives in Swansea.
History of the Olympic and Paralympic Games formed a key part of the learning experience for the pupils who took part.
Jack Tyrell, one of the participating pupils, said: “This is one of the best projects we’ve ever done. I learned lots of interesting facts and got to hold the gold medal David Roberts won and the 1948 Olympic Torch. I’d love to do it all again.
“The best part for me was the interviews because we learned so much about the athletes’ lives.”
Fellow pupil Gianluca Amoruso said: “I learned that the Paralympics are just as important as the Olympics.”
Following the Flame Project Co-ordinator Phil Cope said: “The staff and pupils of St Thomas Primary School feel immensely privileged to have been part of such a prestigious initiative as the pan-Wales Following the Flame exhibition.
“The experiences which have been shared with the children will provide a lasting legacy of celebration and understanding because this impressive display will be seen by future generations and will act as a source of inspiration for those with new sporting and wider dreams.”
