BRITISH COUNCIL AND RYERSON UNIVERSITY HOST THE QUEEN’S BATON AT A CELEBRATION FOR SCHOOLS

Three Canadian Schools Awarded Rare “Game on Scotland” Plaques

May 1, 2014, TORONTO – Capitalizing on the visit of the Queen’s Baton Relay to Canada this week, the British Council and Ryerson University hosted a Schools Celebration to welcome the Baton. Approximately 100 elementary students competed in Commonwealth Games sports events, heard from Canadian athletes and officials from the UK, and connected virtually with students in Scotland. 

Schools participating in the Queen’s Baton Relay Schools Celebration were:

  • Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy, Toronto Ontario
  • St. Aidan Catholic School, Toronto Ontario
  • Major Ballachey Elementary, Brantford Ontario
  • Crown Primary School, Inverness Scotland (participating via on-line platform).

 

A number of dignitaries from the UK were on hand, including the Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport from the Government of Scotland, Shona Robison, who said: “The overwhelming enthusiasm displayed by young people around the globe for Glasgow 2014 is extremely heartening for all concerned, from behind-the-scenes organisers, to athletes training hard for the performance of their life.”

“Congratulations to the Canadian schools who have been awarded with Game On plaques today, taking the total presented to over 100. They join hundreds of thousands of Scottish pupils learning more about our connections across the Commonwealth.  It was fantastic to give a virtual welcome to pupils from Crown Primary in Inverness - the first school to get a plaque.”

The Queen’s Baton Relay Schools Celebration is part of Commonwealth Class, an exciting initiative delivered by the British Council in partnership with the BBC and the Commonwealth Secretariat.  The programme connects young people from across the Commonwealth, and helps them to share their experiences and learn about Commonwealth values in the build-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Fifteen primary schools from eight provinces and territories across Canada are each partnered with schools from nine other Commonwealth countries to take part in a team competition that sees schools collaborate on educational activities using a virtual forum. 

The Queen’s Baton Relay concludes its journey in Canada on Friday, May 2nd, with a visit to the birthplace of the Commonwealth Games, Hamilton, home to the 1930 British Empire Games.

ABOUT THE BRITISH COUNCIL – CANADA

The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We are on the ground in six continents and over 100 countries.  Through our work in education, the arts and English, we make a real different to the lives of millions of people in the UK and around the world.

In Canada, the British Council aims to support and develop cooperation between education institutions  and cultural organisations in Canada and the UK, promote student mobility between the two countries, and facilitate dialogue that will contribute to a more open, inclusive and prosperous world.

ABOUT COMMONWEALTH CLASS

Commonwealth Class is an exciting initiative for schools from the BBC, the British Council and the Commonwealth Secretariat. It is connecting over 100,000 schools and 17 million young people from across the Commonwealth, helping them to share their experiences and learn about Commonwealth values in the build-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Commonwealth Class is a Supporting Legacy 2014 project, endorsed by Game On Scotland. To sign up and access resources, visit www.bbc.co.uk/commonwealthclass.

ABOUT COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of CGC is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool. Visit www.commonwealthgames.ca for information.

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For additional information:

Ryerson University
Johanna VanderMaas
Public Affairs
(416) 979 5000 x 4630
(647) 278 5019 (c)
Johanna.vandermaas@ryerson.ca

Commonwealth Games Canada
Communications Chief
Sylvie Bigras
(613) 298 1625 (c)
sylvie@magma.caBritish Council

Education and Society Manager
Elizabeth McCallion
(416) 662 0361 (c)
elizabeth.mccallion@britishcouncil.org