Students from Bede Academy in Blyth have been getting into the Olympic spirit after seeing the torch relay followed by a host of London 2012 visits and activities.

 

Children in Year 7 and Bede's Primary Years even got the chance to carry a torch themselves.

 

After watching the torch relay through Blyth, they were treated to visits from Olympic torch bearers Claire Paczko, April Murphy and Jonny Miller, who told the children about their experiences.

 

Claire, who works from the homeless charity Crisis, in Newcastle, explained how she was selected from 28,000 applicants and nominated directly by the Olympic Committee to be a torch bearer.

 

The students heard how the torch arrived on a gold coloured aircraft from Athens and was being carried over 70 days to all corners of the UK by 8,000 torch bearers before ending its journey at the Olympic stadium in readiness for London 2012.

 

Claire led a quiz in which the children learned there are 8,000 holes in the torch to represent each torch bearer and that its triangular shape embodies the three Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect.

 

Earlier students had watched Mrs Murphy carrying the torch through Blyth.

Charlotte Coppen, who is in reception class Bede, said: "It was really good and the best part was when the torch went past."

 

Denny Shy, in Year 1, added: "It was excellent and I absolutely loved it when I saw the lovely lady holding the torch."

 

During her visit to the academy, Mrs Murphy, who was nominated to be a torch bearer for her work with Rainbows and Brownies, was quizzed by the children about her torch bearer's uniform and how she felt running past the crowds.

 

Jonny Miller, a friend of Year 6 student Jack Bryden, visited after carrying the torch through Whitley Bay.

 

He explained that he was nominated for supporting his athlete brother in three Paralympic Games.

 

Some children were able to hold Jonny's torch for a short time, and later they made their own versions including some edible examples.

 

Students from Bede Academy also took part in a competition between ten schools in Blyth at the local sports centre where they competed in games, an obstacle course and relay, coming third overall.

 

They also met a Team GB long jumper and basketball star and friend of Bede Fab Flournoy.

"I loved taking part, especially in the obstacle course which was so much fun," said Year 6 student Alex Jones.

 

Head of Primary Years Irene Watson said the Olympic visits had been a tremendous experience for the children.

 

She said: "To have not one but three torch bearers visit us in school and give so much of their time to the children was incredible and we are so grateful to Claire, April and Jonny.

 

"Their visits, and our trips to see the torch relay and to take part in the schools' competition, has really brought the London Olympics to life for the children. For many it will be an experience they will never forget and has been a huge inspiration to them." 

 

Mrs Watson added: "I'd like to say a huge thank you to the many parents and volunteers without whose assistance the outing for 630 Primary children to see the Olympic torch would not have been possible."