Lochside Go For Gold

Jul 18 2012 by Sharon Liptrott, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

LOCHSIDE Primary School held their Olympics on Thursday.

The athletes entered the arena waving their country flags proudly and paraded around the arena.

The flags of the world, the Union Jack and the Olympic flag were then raised as the competitors’ representative Kieran Williamson from P7 took the oath which was updated for the occasion.

He said: “On behalf of the competitors, I promise to try my best and enjoy these Olympics. I will not be too cocky if I win, and I will cheer anyone who wins whatever house they may come from.”

Mrs Douglas then took the judges’ oath on behalf of the staff, promising not to be biased in favour of her own house team!

The Olympic torch was then carried in relay round the arena by P7 with Kyle having the honour of being final torchbearer and lit the British Lion cauldron designed by Max and Andrew.

The P4 and P7 pupils then took to the stage to present their Olympic performance of Dances of Wonder showcasing dances from round the world.

The games were then declared open, and the athletes took to the field.

Winners were presented with their gold medals which were embossed not only with London 2012 but also in commemoration of the school’s 50th anniversary year.

The school further celebrated the London 2012 Olympics when the Olympic torch visited Dumfries.

Staff ran a walking bus from Lochside to town, leaving school at quarter to seven in the morning!

Depute headteacher Mrs Louisa Gamble said: “We felt that the Olympic Torch visiting Dumfries was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and that our pupils should get the chance to see it. The dinner ladies very kindly put on a British breakfast when we returned to school as we had all worked up an appetite.”