Two Wrexham schools will be linking up with their counterparts in Indonesia to help promote the benefits of sport for pupils.
A delegation from Wrexham’s Ysgol Rhosnesni High School and Wat’s Dyke Primary School has just returned from a visit to Indonesia as part of London 2012 International Inspiration, a key strand of the international legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games for children and young people around the world.
The two schools will now be playing host to their partner school from Indonesia in February 2011.
The partnership delegates included Mr Alun Evans (Headteacher of Wat’s Dyke, Miss Laura Edwards and Miss Donna Edwards (PE Department at Ysgol Rhosnesni High School). The aim of the visit was to make a link with schools from both the primary and secondary sector in Surabaya, East Java to promote the benefits of physical education. Teachers from both continents compared and shared ideas on the teaching of PE and sport in schools and laid the foundations for what is hoped to be a productive partnership in the future.
The delegates were extremely impressed by the standard of performance shown by the pupils in their PE lessons and the imaginative way the teachers were able to make the most of their facilities and resources to provide the pupils with a range of sporting opportunities. Staff experienced the traditional game of ‘Takraw’, as well as some wonderful performances of cultural song and dance during the visit. The Welsh schools hope to be able to extend an equally impressive welcome to their counterparts on the return visit in February.
This is the first time that an Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee has launched a programme like this with the London 2012 Games as the catalyst for this ambitious engagement through sport programme.
Launched in India, International Inspiration aims to use the power of physical education, sport and play to enrich the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities in twenty countries across the world. From Azerbaijan to Zambia, International Inspiration empowers young people, many in difficult situations in their countries, to become leaders in their schools and communities, building their confidence and self esteem, as well as encouraging them to realise their ambition and full potential. They then become powerful advocates for change, helping others to improve their lives.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, International Inspiration Ambassador, said:
“It is wonderful that students from Wales are taking part in International Inspiration, the most ambitious Olympic legacy programme to ever take place.
“I have been lucky to see firsthand through International Inspiration how sport is truly a global language, giving children and young people the chance to achieve their full potential. The links these schools are building with Indonesia through the programme will help students not only to understand other cultures, but also to play their part in using the power of sport to change lives.”
School partnerships are an integral part of International Inspiration, providing an opportunity for teachers, children and young people to develop and share innovative approaches to PE, sport and play in the classroom and their local community as well as learn about and understand each other’s cultures, experiences and international development issues. Ysgol Rhosnesni and Wat’s Dyke are two of 164 schools in the UK currently linked to a school overseas through International Inspiration.
These school partnerships are managed by the British Council, which has long experience of linking schools internationally, working in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, which utilises its expertise in developing teachers and young leaders through sport.
