Paralympics Flag handover marked

PUPILS at a Gorleston school marked the official Paralympics flag handover on Wednesday with a series of special assemblies aimed at promoting sport among young people in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

As the mayor of Beijing handed over the Paralympics flag to the mayor of London - Great Yarmouth's mayor Terry Easter was talking to pupils at Cliff Park High School, the area's only Specialist Sports College.

Mr Easter spoke of the importance of sport within communities and how Yarmouth was fortunate to be selected to host training camps for the Olympic Beach Volleyball teams on South Beach in 2012.

Headteacher Mark Bailie said the school enjoyed a fantastic run of assemblies which inspired pupils.

He said: “Pupils were enchanted by the Olympics and the Paralympics.”

The school held various event throughout the day including a dance performance by year 11 pupils and talks by the school's Olympic Ambassadors, Shanice Webster, Jonny Mobbs, Craig Alexander, Melissa Philpott, Morgan Ritchie, Josh Nudd, Lauren Truelove and Ashley Bovington.

Mr Bailie said: “Our Olympic Ambassadors each did a short presentation about what part of the Olympics had inspired them.”

He said pupils spoke about the stunning performances of US swimmer Michael Phelps who netted a record eight gold medals in Beijing and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt who smashed the men's 100m world record.

“Pupils used photographs and video links during their presentations - very impressive for 14 and 15-year-olds,” added Mr Bailie.

The special event follows a visit by representatives from the Department of Children, Schools and Families in May when Cliff Park was used as an official launch base in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Wednesday's event was organised by PE teacher James Panayi who will co-ordinate the school's work in the run up to 2012 over the next four years.