Gold medalists visit The Good Shepherd Primary School

Gold medalists visit The Good Shepherd Primary School

Pupils told about the history of the Olympic movement

Two Olympic gold medallists and a world rowing champion visited The Good Shepherd Primary School on Thursday, May 27, to give children a taste of sporting glory.

Rowing cox and former Good Shepherd pupil Garry Herbert, who won his gold at the 1992 Barcelona games, and Tim Foster, who won a rowing gold along with Sir Steve Redgrave at Sydney in 2000 as well as bronze at Atlanta in 1996, were joined by Good Shepherd parent and 1993 World Rowing Champion Annamarie Phelps, who also competed at the Atlanta games in 1996.

The three top athletes brought along their medals to show pupils and talked about the history of the Olympic movement - including the 1908 London games, much of which was staged in a stadium in White City, the 1948 London games and the current bid to host the games here in 2012.

A display of Olympic posters, tracksuits, photos and other sporting memorabilia has been put up in the school entrance and coach Alex Copeland, from the Amateur Rowing Association, helped children to learn to row on an indoor rowing machine.

Pupils are preparing music, artwork and classwork to celebrate the Olympics which they will present to Annamarie and other guests at the school on 16 June. On the school's sports day on 1 July children will be awarded with their own gold medals made by pupils in the nursery.
The project is supported by the British Olympic Association and the Amateur Rowing Association.

Annamarie Phelps, who has two boys at the school's nursery, said: "I was at the Atlanta games with Garry and Tim and we have kept in touch since. The school is very into sport and I thought it would be great to introduce the children to some Olympic athletes and let them find out more about the Olympic movement and the local connections it has, including the events staged at the White City stadium during the 1908 games as well as the athletes who have come from this area including Garry and Linford Christie."

Annamarie's gold and three silver medals, which she won at the World Rowing Championships from 1991-94, form part of the display of sporting and Olympic memorabilia in the school entrance.

Garry Herbert, who will be a BBC rowing commentator at the Athens games this year, said: "The great thing about bringing the Olympic Games into schools is the fact that the children can learn so much in the classroom from the Olympic ideals, which last for life - fair play, friendship, doing your best and respect for each other."

Cathy Doogan, headteacher of The Good Shepherd Primary School, said: "We have good links with Queens Park Rangers, who run regular football coaching sessions at the school, and our pupils have also been learning how to play hockey. The children are learning about the history of the Olympics in classes and designing posters. They will present some of their work on 16 June, when the school band will also play an Olympic anthem."

Cllr David Williams, deputy for education, said: "The Good Shepherd Primary School is really entering into the spirit of the Olympics and the children are learning about the borough's history of sporting prowess. Our schools, sports development team and local sporting organisations are working hard to develop the talent in our community. With inspiring visitors, and everyone's hard work, we might have a few more Olympians at the Good Shepherd and our other schools."

June 4, 2004