May 2007 News
Passing the Baton
Local young people flew the flag for London when they welcomed Beijing schoolchildren to Hackney to learn more about the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Students and teachers from Our Lady’s Convent High School, Stamford Hill, joined them on a tour of the Games site this month, where they saw first hand, the work so far.
Benefits of the Games
The 12 students and five teachers learnt about the different Olympic venues being built in the borough and the long-term benefits of the Games for Hackney.
The group from Beijing Academy of Educational Sciences Secondary Pilot School also visited the Town Hall’s historic Council Chambers, where they quizzed Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
Impact of the Games
London becomes the official host city when the Olympic Flag is handed over at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Games.
Students from the two schools have been working on a joint project looking at the impact of the Games on both Beijing and London.
Youngsters researched how they could inspire more people to become active, and looked at the regeneration of an area with new homes, improved transport, the creation of more jobs, businesses and tourism opportunities.
Raising awareness
The project also aims to raise awareness of different cultural backgrounds, promote global citizenship, and extend the students’ knowledge of each other’s countries.
Twelve-year-old Sabrina, from Our Lady’s Convent High School, said: “A lot of work has to be done to make the Olympics happen, but I’m sure it will bring pride and joy to London. I’ve learnt a lot about the progress they’ve made in Beijing and if we continue to build at the rate we are in London it will be a big success.
“Working with the students in Beijing and learning Mandarin at school has been really good, but actually getting to meet them in person has been great.”
Inspiring young people
Cllr Nicholson said: “The Council is putting our schools at the heart of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by working with them to ensure young people in our borough get the full benefit of what they can bring.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for students from Hackney and Beijing to be able to meet, share their experiences and learn more about how living in a host city affects them before, during and after the Games.
“We are using the 2012 Games as a great motivator, inspiring young people to get involved in their neighbourhoods, participate in sporting and cultural events and volunteering opportunities.”
Hackney is one of five host boroughs for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with almost a third of the Olympic Park in Hackney.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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