Annual Review 2018 – 19
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ANNUAL REVIEW 2018 – 19 “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair” - Nelson Mandela - 2 Foreword… 2018-19 was a year of self-reflection for the Active Schools team, having completed the Insights Personality test. Understanding others and appreciating our differences was one of the key learnings. This programme helped us build valuable working relationships and a network of partners, allowing Active Schools to make the impact they have made this year. The Active Schools team continue to work with and nurture senior pupils who officiate, coach, organise competitions, become Young Ambassadors who are our decision makers. Gaining relevant sports qualifications and valuable experience in delivery, the young people are able to Jude Salmon develop their employability skills. Active Schools Manager In today’s world we are affected by factors including stress, mental health, obesity and poverty. Taking part in sport and physical activity truly does make a difference to our lives and I hope that some of the stories you are about to read will illustrate this to you. The phrase, ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ says it all. Our bodies were designed to move and when we keep them healthy, we have a better outlook on life, and on learning. The most wonderful part of keeping fit and healthy is that it is fun, but as this annual review shows, it can also open doors into future careers through volunteering and coaching. It is particularly good to see the values that Active Schools Edinburgh have at the heart of their work in schools – the same values and goals that teachers and officers are aiming for: we want all children to achieve their very best. It is also great to see the extra focus for children and young people who live in difficult circumstances – sport really can be uplifting, no matter how good your level of skill – there is always something to be gained. Lorna Sweeney I am so pleased to see that the good work will continue next year. Well done Team Edinburgh! Service Manager Schools & Lifelong Learning Active Schools place an importance on building relationships with staff and pupils in the school and are responsive to organisational challenges when delivering a broad programme of experiences. They are innovative and willing to work in different ways to meet the needs of our unique school community. They are also proactive in creating effective partnerships with outside organisations such as the Scottish Volleyball Association to enable our pupils to gain high quality experiences in a wider community setting. Kevin Brack Head Teacher Brunstane Primary School Throughout this academic year, the Edinburgh Active Schools team provided a range of quality opportunities for children and young people to participate in sport and physical activity, with an added focus around the provision of inclusive opportunities. The team have worked hard to understand the barriers to participation, and have successfully targeted girls and women, children and young people from areas of deprivation, and those with additional support needs. Kevin Ferguson Partnership Manager Sportscotland Another impressive year for the Edinburgh Active Schools Team. A job well done! I can see that Edinburgh Active Schools are clear about their priorities and the challenges ahead and are focusing their time on ensuring physical activity and sporting opportunities are varied and offered to everyone. David Bruce Service Manager Schools & Lifelong Learning 3 PROFILE & EVENTS 4 September November October December January February March May April June @ActiveSchoolsEd 5 Games @ The Hub 2019 The Active Schools annual Games @ the Hub event took place with over 2,000 pupils taking part from 75 primary schools, including 4 special schools. 6 Get Active, Stay Active Active Schools take great pleasure in hosting this fantastic event with the support of the schools across the city and our sports clubs and volunteers that make the day possible. The aim is to celebrate Active Schools by inspiring young people to take part in physical activity and sport and motivate them to continue staying active. This citywide event, where all Edinburgh Primary Schools invited to participate in a number of sports and bring up to 3 teams of 10 pupils. The sports including; Athletics, Basketball, Boccia, Cricket, Dance, Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Netball, Orienteering Rugby, Swimming, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball. Volunteers The strong partnerships Active Schools have with governing bodies, local colleges, local community clubs and schools form the foundation of this event. Volunteers are sourced from these key stakeholders, who deliver in the extra- curricular programmes across the city and support many events including Games @ the Hub. Over 100 volunteers are recruited to help on the day. Our guests this year included; Alistair Gaw (Executive Director, Communities & Families), Councillor Gavin Corbett, Councillor Claire Bridgman, Tommy George (Edinburgh Leisure), Michael McGhee (Headteacher, St. Augustine’s), Kevin Ferguson & Bob Wylie (Sportscotland) 7 Para Sport Festival We were delighted to welcome Lord Provost Frank Ross to the Para Sport Festival, held at the Forrester/St Augustine Campus. The annual event is in collaboration with Scottish Disability Sport with significant input from Lothian Disability Sport & Edinburgh Leisure. During his visit the Lord Provost had the opportunity to meet young people with visual / hearing impairments & physical impairments trying out a range of para sports. The day was supported by several Scottish Governing Bodies & local inclusive clubs. Sports included Badminton, Boccia, Cycling (tandem), Goalball, ‘Hugby’ (Rugby for visually impaired people), Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball & Wheelchair Basketball. The Q&A sessions were welcomed current sporting stars to provide insights into their journey as athletes. Scottish Borders swimmer Beth Johnston (Galashiels) & Edinburgh based Josh Manson (Wheelchair Basketball) answered a host of questions from the participants. 8 • Year on year growth since its inception in 2012 demonstrates the strong partnership working between Active Schools and National Governing Bodies for Disability Sport. • 87 school-aged pupils with a physical, visual or hearing impairment from across the East of Scotland attended the event. • The event provided pathways with disability community sports clubs for any young people who were keen to access regular sporting opportunities. “We love this event, my daughter slowly comes out of her shell and it's great to see her participating in • There was a 19% increase in participants from last year sport alongside her peers” Parent 9 The Active Schools Day of Dance SHOWCASED the extra-curricular dance groups from across Edinburgh. Children had the opportunity to perform for parents, carers, families, teachers and other guests at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. The Active Schools team and dance partners ran 3 dance shows over the day which incorporated 4 neighbourhoods. Every school in Edinburgh was “It was an amazing opportunity for my invited, with 80+ schools and 1600 children participating, supported by over 30 volunteers. daughter to perform in such a fantastic venue. Something she will never forget” Parent Pupils from P1 to S6 were given the opportunity to perform dance routines to an audience of around 900 spectators Volunteers from Live It Dance, Edinburgh Dance Academy (EDA), Dance Division, Step it Up, Starpic Dance and a number of The Story independent instructors came together (Cut to the chase…don’t enlarge my box or change the with school volunteers and Active Schools font size ) Co-ordinators to make the event possible. Dance remains the second most popular activity in Active Schools Edinburgh. Having the ability to showcase their learning is certainly a big reason for pupils continuing to show dedication and commitment throughout the term. So, what’s the big deal? AKA Impact – but we don’t mention that word here …shhhh! 10 School Sport heads to Portobello Beach! The popular City of Edinburgh Beach Games was once again delivered by fantastic partnerships between Active Schools, the Sports Development Team, Governing Bodies and volunteers from prominent Edinburgh Sports Clubs and Edinburgh College. The event was a culmination of the year-long School Sport Edinburgh Programme which aims to provide an increased number of ‘first’ sporting competition opportunities for those new or recently new to participation. Athletics, Cricket, Football, Netball, Rugby, Tennis and Beach Volleyball competitions allowed a wide range of schools and pupils to participate in an The Beach Games enabled 628 pupils in S1- event which celebrated enjoyment of the physical S3 from 15 City of Edinburgh Secondary and mental health benefits that sport can bring. School to demonstrate and apply a number of movement skills and strategies, creatively and accurately across a wide of range of sports competition. Pupils continued to develop and sustain their levels of fitness while contributing to the enjoyable, safe, supportive and inclusive environment the Beach Games promotes. Combining access to one of Edinburgh’s superb outdoor spaces, with participation in physical activity, is a model for increasing positive physical and mental health experiences for all who attend. “The Beach Games was meticulously organised