Pupils and teachers at St Joseph’s Catholic primary and Nursery School celebrated today when they were officially welcomed in to London 2012’s Get Set network, in recognition of their commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values. The school recently held a ‘The Olympics are coming day’ to start thinking about the great events and how best they can celebrate and use it as a focus for their learning.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) awarded St Joseph’s Catholic primary and Nursery School a plaque and certificate to acknowledge their involvement in the London 2012 education programme.  They now join schools and colleges across the UK as members of a special London 2012 community – the Get Set network - and will receive access to exclusive competitions and 2012 Games related opportunities over the coming years.

Ian Morton, a former Paralympian from the Sydney Games of 2000, who presented the School with the plaque and certificate, said: Pupils at St Joseph’s are excellent examples of how London 2012 is helping to spark young people’s imagination and inspiring them to get involved and make a difference.  They have clearly demonstrated that London 2012’s education programme extends far beyond PE and sport and I hope they will motivate other young people to join their journey.’

Sebastian Coe, chairman of LOCOG, said: “When London won the right to host the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, we made a clear promise to use the power of the 2012 Games to inspire young people.

“I am proud to welcome St Joseph’s in to the Get Set network for their exciting work around the Olympic Values of friendship, excellence and respect and the Paralympic Values of inspiration, courage, determination and equality.”

Mr. Mike Donoghue, headteacher of St Joseph’s said: We are delighted to involve our children in the Get Set network even at this early stage. We recognise that this is possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of our children to experience an Olympics and Paralympics on home soil. We fully intend to use it as the focus for learning before, during and after the event itself. We would view it as a missed opportunity if we did not immerse ourselves fully in the occasion. We have already held and ‘Olympics are coming day’ and intend to repeat the event next term. As we move into the summer our curriculum will be dedicated to the Olympic theme, our own Olympic and paralympic sports events will be held, each class will adopt a country to follow alongside G.B during the games and we hope to share experiences with other local schools. We are also very excited that the Olympic torch relay will pass through Boughton on Thursday 28^th June on its journey between Lincoln and Nottingham. We hope to be there to cheer it on its way.

Neil Pike, Parent Governor of St Joseph’s said: St Joseph’s are actively taking this opportunity by the scruff of the neck.  We see this as a chance to enhance our pupils’ view of the world outside of Ollerton and Boughton and to engage the whole school community in what will be a very special summer.