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International Inspiration!
Teachers from Callington Community College have recently returned from a visit to Government Secondary School Jibi, which is situtated on the outskirts of the Capital city of Abuja, in central Nigeria. The purpose of the visit was to support the development of PE and school sport in both schools in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games. Michelle Roberts, Assistant Head Teacher, and Keith Hubbard, Head of Construction at the College, visited a secondary school in Abuja as part of the exchange.
Michelle stated, ‘We arrived at the school not really knowing what challenges we would face, however, we were made to feel very welcome and we were guests of honour at the schools’ sports day. The sports day opened with a cultural dance and a parade of students in their house colours. The athletics events were run on a sand/gravel track with many students running in bare feet, the standards were high and the prizes for the athletes were buckets, which really brought home to me the purpose and values of competition, and how much we can learn and the importance of music and dance to a sporting event’.
Michelle and Keith introduced tag rugby and Ultimate Frisbee to the school and discussed ways of engaging girls in PE and school sports, as well as discussing sports leadership, which is an area for development in the Nigerian school.
GSS Jibi has now started to introduce the new sports and is currently developing sports leadership. A return visit to Callington for the Nigerian teachers is planned for June 2010, when further training and support will be provided. The Nigerian teachers will also have the opportunity to work with some sports leaders. It is also hoped that the Nigerian teachers will be able to work with Callington students to develop a cultural element to sports festivals. The College is also hoping to develop an international inspiration student group which will provide students at the college with the opportunity to have a voice internationally, along with the chance to work with students from a range of different cultures and countries.
This is the first time that an Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee has launched a programme like this, with the London Games as the catalyst for this ambitious engagement through sport programme.
Launched by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in India last year, International Inspiration uses the power of sport to change the lives of children and young people around 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.
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. Government Secondary School Jibbi is one of 150 schools in the UK currently linked to a school overseas through International Inspiration.
Seb Coe Chair of London 2012 said: “Our vision is to use the power of the Games to inspire change – and changing lives is the driving force behind our plans. We took a very clear promise to Singapore – to encourage the youth of the world to choose sport – and GSS Jibi’s involvement is another key step towards delivering that promise. Sport can be a great force for good, and the International Inspiration programme will play a real role in improving the lives of young people around the world through sport.”
For media enquiries please contact [Michelle Roberts – 01579 386120] or for information on International Inspiration please contact James Keegan at the British Council on 020 7389 4720 james.keegan@britishcouncil.org
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