Wiltshire's Big Pledge 2017
Tuesday 6th June 2017
Following 2016 successful Road to Rio challenge, Wiltshire’s Big Pledge has returned this year with its London Calling challenge. This year it is celebrating the first time the IAAF World Athletic Championships have been held in the UK, when they take place in London this summer. Participants will complete a set distance to collecting the flags of the countries who will be taking part in the championships. There will be 30 countries in total to collect and it is free to enter.
We are encouraging as many school’s to sign up now and join in the fun from the 5 June until the 30 July by signing up to one of the team challenges. The challenge is a great what for your pupils and school to get active and potential use it in other areas of learning such as maths, geography or art as well as improving overall well-being.
Last year some of the schools that took part reported a number of benefits saying:
“The pupils have been learning about the Olympics. They have studied the history of the Olympics, the underpinning values & principles and about the different range of competitive sports. They pledged to walk at least 1 km 3 times a week prior to lessons and to undertake additional walks during playtime and lunchtimes. They have enjoyed the time together walking and talking to each other and on some mornings listening and dancing to music as they walk! This time has helped children develop their social and emotional wellbeing as they are learning to socialise in a different way than they would at lunchtime or playtime.” The Manor School, Melksham
“We had regular assemblies to guess where we were in the world and pupils were able to have a guess and talk about the country where we currently were after each week, it also gave them incentive to keep going and reach the goal. The children are a lot more active with many now walking to school.” Shrewton Primary School, Shrewton
“It was a good chance to get the whole school active and fitted perfectly with the Olympic values. Pupils took part of their normal school day plus pedometers doing a variety of activities including Fencing, Swimming, Running, Sport Day, PE lessons, Tennis, Netball.” Pewsey Primary School, Pewsey
“We all took part in the Daily Mile- where all children and staff walked briskly/ ran a mile around the school grounds. We held a sports week and the children were able to take part in various activities.” Churchfields Primary School, Melksham
Every school that signs up will receive an online toolkit containing useful information on how to use the online distance record tool, information on how to include a range of activities to contribute to the schools overall total, and A1 wall chart to put up in your reception area or hall to record your schools progress and information on the countries you will be collecting. The first 50 schools that sign up will receive a free kit bag containing some sports equipment.
It is easy to sign your school up. You can download this guide that explains how to sign up your school.
If you have any questions please contact bigpledge@wiltshire.gov.uk
