York | Archive | 2004 | July | 7
From the Evening Press, first published Wednesday 7th Jul 2004.
YOUNGSTERS at a York school can teach the Greeks a thing or two when it comes to hosting the Olympics.
While the hosts of the original ancient games are still struggling to get ready for the 2004 Olympics, pupils and staff at Tang Hall Primary School have held their very own version of the event.
The school's 230 pupils, aged five to 11, had a day of activities ranging from Olympic-themed lessons to a host of games in the school hall, with teams competing in the four houses - York, Castle, Ebor and Minster.
Year Two pupils made a giant mural featuring Olympic sports and Year Four children made Olympic torches, while others got to help make and sample Greek cuisine, including moussaka.
In maths classes, the children made bar charts using previous year's results of where countries came in medals tables, and geography classes involved the various countries which take part in the games.
The day was the brainchild of PE co-ordinator Martin Lumb, who said the idea came from a successful World Cup day held at the school two years ago.
Mr Lumb said: "This year, I suggested doing something for the European Championships, and out of that grew an Olympic day, which the whole school could get involved in."
Head teacher Ken Taylor said: "It was not Athens and we didn't have the sunshine, but on the whole the day was a huge success.
"It was very much a one-off fun day, but hopefully it gave the children an insight into what the Olympics are about, so when they see them in the summer holidays they know a little bit about them.
"We also tried to get across something of the ethos of the Olympics and how it came about to show them that it's the taking part and not the winning that counts.
"The staff loved it and the children got right behind it. Because they were separated up into their separate houses they had something to support."
The children were put in mixed teams in two age groups, aged five to eight and eight to 11, and competed in their houses.
At the end of the day, there was a closing ceremony-style assembly.
Updated: 08:36 Wednesday, July 07, 2004
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