News

Essex pupils inspired by the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games showcased their talents at a festival of Music, Arts and Dance at Chelmsford Civic and Cramphorn theatres on Thursday [27 May].

The festival, part of the Essex Carrying the Flame initiative run by Essex County Council, brought together 15 different secondary schools from across the county.

Each school was assigned to a team and given the task of creating an artistic leg of a relay race, with the first school writing lyrics for an Olympic song and passing this onto the second school composing the music. The ‘artistic baton’ was then handed onto the third and forth schools to choreograph a dance and design a set for the stage.

All schools performed at the festival, where they were watched by an audience from local primary schools.

Cllr Stephen Castle, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education & the 2012 Games said;

‘Essex Carrying the Flame is a fantastic initiative which uses the power of the London 2012 Games to inspire young people. It shows how the principles of the Olympic and Paralympic Games can be applied across all educational activities, as well as to sport itself.’

 County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Cabinet Member for Heritage, Culture and the Arts said;

‘This project is a wonderful example of how young people can be inspired by the 2012 Games. The festival has proved to be an excellent opportunity for young people in Essex to pool their talents and produce a spectacular show. I hope that this experience will encourage them to develop a lifelong interest in the Arts’.

 Jan Atkinson, Head Teacher from Deanes added;

‘ Being involved in the festival has been an extremely rewarding experience. Not only has it encouraged our pupils to use their imaginations to create an Olympic song, it has given them the opportunity to connect with peers from different schools. ‘

By Kerry Bennett Essex County Council Communications

Click here for more information about Essex Carrying the Flame