Healthy schools

May 25 2006 Dumfries & Galloway Standard

JUNIOR food fans served up a mouth watering treat to spectators as part of their Health Week.

Pupils from primary schools in Castle Douglas, Springholm, Lochrutton, Kells, Carspahairn, Crossmichael and Hardgate gathered at Castle Douglas High School to take part in a healthy ‘Ready, Steady Cook!’

Last week, we revealed how lucky pupils in Crossmichael, Carsphairn and Dalry enjoyed a visit from sporting legend Olympic legend Rhona Martin.

The curling expert gave each school a short talk on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle before leading the pupils through a ‘New-Age-Curling’ taster session, and said: "I have had some fantastic experiences through my career in sport and I want these youngsters to enjoy the benefits of sport too."

She visited the schools as an ambassador of the Sporting Champions Scheme, a new initiative that is part of Sportscotland's Active Schools programme.

Pupils from the other cluster schools also had the chance to meet Rhona, who was guest of honour at night for the cooking demonstrations and presented pupils with tee-shirts promoting healthy eating.

The good-living was not just restricted to that evening, however.

Pupils enjoyed a rotating programme of visitors and discussions, among them representatives from Glasgow Science Centre who explained all about what happens “In Your Guts.”

Those at Hardgate were very impressed with the talk, and learned some weird and wonderful new facts about what happens on the inside.

Maybelle the ‘cow’ also dropped by to show the young folk where milk actually comes from. Maybelle was made out of fibreglass - but had working udders!

Everyone at Kells was for tennis, too, at a series of tournaments enjoyed by all and sponsored skipping at Castle Douglas Primary raised a healthy sum.

Youngsters at Carsphairn Primary were ‘bowled over’ during a trip to Dalry Bowling Club and had the chance to enjoy a few lessons in the great outdoors before the rain started.

Nursery children were not excluded from the healthy activity, and wee ones in Castle Douglas enjoyed a sponsored walk to Lochside Park and once there enjoyed a tasty, healthy picnic.

Castle Douglas Primary School felt the benefit of a Big Lottery Funded Active Steps experience to launch their week. Pupils were set a range of tasks designed to promote team work and co-operation while testing the physical and mental capabilities of those participating.

The first challenge of the day saw 97 pupils attempt to cross the school playground in two teams without touching the ground.

Pupils were given only a limited supply of basic equipment such as ropes and buckets to help them complete the task. With an hour's time deadline, pupils had to think on their feet and work together under pressure and managed to finish the task in just under an hour.

Following the success of the week a spokesman said: “A massive thank you to ‘Active Steps’ for putting together an imaginative and diverse programme that the pupils embraced and focused on throughout the day. A further thank you must be extended to Castle Douglas Primary School's Health Co-ordinator Fiona Baird and Active Schools Co-ordinator Chris Topping for help setting up the event.”