Palmerston School takes the gold!
: Barry Mayor and Palmerston governor Cllr Maggie Pain presents the gold award to Bev Hopkins watched by Karon Breen and Dragon Sport co-ordinator for the Vale Rachel McGuinness.
Palmerston Primary (Barry) has become the first school in the
Vale of Glamorgan to be awarded the highly acclaimed Dragon Sport
gold accreditation.
The scheme is intended to reflect the commitment of a school to
the ethos of the Dragon Sport project which, focusing upon fun and
participation, was set up by the Sports Council of Wales in
conjunction with local authorities across Wales including the Vale
of Glamorgan Council. It covers eight sports and works with young
people aged seven to 11.
The gold awards means that Palmerston has more than 80 per cent
of girls and 90 per cent of boys at Key Stage 2 taking part in one
or more of the school's extra curricular clubs running for over 30
weeks of the year.
Palmerston offers the majority of Dragon sports 13 hockey,
netball, football, rugby, cricket, athletics and Sportsability 13
and also runs karate, dance and rhythmic gymnastics sessions.
Palmerston is an integrated school which makes their special
achievement even more admirable.
With the expertise of the teaching staff, notably Bev Hopkins
and support staff including Karon Breed, Palmerston ensures that
all pupils can access a range of sports clubs. The school is also
fortunate to have attracted a number of volunteers notably Bob
Breed who runs rugby alongside head teacher Mark Middlemiss.
The school was one of the very first in the Vale to take on
board Dragon Sport in January, 2001, and they have benefited from
free training, coach education and occasional taster sessions. All
have helped ensure the school has put sport and physical activity
at the top of their agenda.
Barry Mayor Cllr Maggie Pain, who is also a school governor,
presented the award to Bev Hopkins, who said: “I’m very proud of
Palmerston’s accomplishments and particularly pleased that they are
recognised nationally for their work.”
Dragon Sport co-ordinator for the Vale Rachel McGuinness said:
“They have always been very committed to the ethos of Dragon Sport
and I am delighted that both Bev, Karon, the volunteers and the
school are getting the recognition that they so rightly
deserve."
"The school believes that the children are at the centre of
everything they do and, without their on-going commitment and
enthusiasm, the award may not have been secured as quickly."
To mark the presentation, the children and guests enjoyed a tea
party.
For further details on Dragon Sport, please contact Rachel
McGuinness on 01446 704681. Alternatively, you may wish to visit
the website at www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/sportsdevelopment
Caption: Barry Mayor and Palmerston governor
Cllr Maggie Pain presents the gold award to Bev Hopkins watched by
Karon Breen and Dragon Sport co-ordinator for the Vale Rachel
McGuinness.