Pupils from Penllergaer Primary School in Swansea have become the first this season to finish the innovative Ospreys Schools Programme.
The Ospreys Schools Programme, the first of its kind in Wales, is an innovative and successful initiative run in partnership with RWE npower renewables, Network Rail, Sony UK Technology Centre and Save Britain Money, with the assistance of the WRU.
The programme was designed in conjunction with the three educational authorities across Ospreylia to ensure that it meets National Curriculum guidelines and focuses on helping develop the participating children's educational and personal skills.
Since its inception in September 2012, thousands of year 5 and 6 pupils from across Ospreylia have taken part and children from Penllergaer Primary in Swansea have become the first this season to complete the programme.
As well as taking part in lessons led by the Region's Participation Officers the school have completed work books, taken part in an interactive tour of the Liberty Stadium and hosted Ospreys players for a special Q&A.
To celebrate their status as the first to complete the programme this year, Ryan Jones attended the school this week to present pupils with their certificates, taking part in a question and answer session with the students from the junior school.
Mrs Davies, a year 5 & 6 teacher at Penllergaer said about the Schools Programme:
"The pupils have really enjoyed taking part in the whole programme. As a school what we really liked about it was the fact that it was so enjoyable for the children because it was linked to rugby and something different to learning the normal way. Through it we have covered literacy, numeracy and also some more creative elements.
“Going to the Liberty Stadium was absolutely great for the pupils. They loved going around and seeing behind the scenes and imaging what it was like to be an Ospreys. It was a fantastic experience for them all and they really loved it.
“Having Ryan come to the school today to present the certificates and answer some of the students questions was a fabulous way to bring the programme to a close.”
Andrew Hore, Ospreys Chief Executive said:
“The Schools Programme is a flagship initiative for the Ospreys and for our commercial partners, who have invested heavily into the scheme to enable us to have such a positive impact on the lives of Year 5 and 6 pupils in Swansea, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot.
“In the 18 months since it was launched, the Programme has allowed us to reach 5,000 young people, introducing them to rugby and the Ospreys while providing fun and exciting ways to learn. It’s crucial that we underline to these children the importance of education, and some of the issues tackled on the programme such as environmental matters, self esteem and online safety.
“We aren’t just looking to create rugby players and supporters, we want to use this programme to help produce well rounded young people that their region, their school and their families can be proud of.”
Kathryn Harries from the Community Investment Team at RWE, a major partner in the programme said:
“RWE Innogy UK is very pleased to be part of this scheme, and we’re delighted that Penllergaer primary school has become the first school this season to complete the programme.
“Our long term sponsorship of Ospreys has always been about supporting local people and establishing a lasting legacy to help local communities to strengthen and grow. The Education Programme is an excellent vehicle for this, delivering core education skills to help children develop in the future, alongside teaching the protection of our planet and its resources for those generations who will take on its stewardship in the future.”
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To find out more about the Ospreys Schools Programme click here