Kids enjoy Olympic challenges

Kids enjoy Olympic challenges

13 June 2012

AROUND 60 sports mad youngsters from six local primary schools descended on Shimna Integrated College on Friday to take part in an Olympic-themed cultural challenge event.

The event was arranged to promote awareness about the cultural backgrounds of people from different countries living in the district.

The schools taking part in the event included Newcastle Primary School, representing Kenya, Castlewellan Primary School, representing Jamaica

Christ the King Primary School, representing India, Cumran Primary School, representing Poland, Sacred Heart Primary School, Dundrum, representing China and St. Joseph’s Primary School, Tyrella, representing Latvia.

Each school learnt about the country they were representing in the games. The countries were selected to encourage the children to identify and find out a bit more about the various cultures of our current ethnic and migrant worker communities.

Children designed flags and mascots of their adopted countries to be carried at the opening ceremony and wore their team colours on t-shirts provided by the Housing Executive.

In addition to track and field events, there was also a quiz and an Artzekta event sponsored by PSNI and East Down Rural Community Network which will provide an insight into the different cultures to those in attendance.

There will also be a closing ceremony with medal awarded to all of the young competitors by Down Council chairman Dermot Curran.

Liam Gunn, chairman of Down Diversity In Action said he hoped the event would spread a message of tolerance and respect for those from different countries living in the area.

“Down Diversity In Action is very grateful to have received the support of the Active Community Coaches who co-ordinated the track and field event,” he said.

“Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank Shimna Integrated College who have been excellent hosts and our funders and event organisers.”