RAY MOYLETTE’S path to next year’s Olympics is charted and celebrated in a new series of books which builds the momentum in primary school classrooms nation-wide ahead of the 2012 Games in London.
Islandeady-born Moylette is regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest Olympic hopefuls and has been boxing since the age of six. His career so far and those of other Olympic hopefuls is charted in ‘The 2012 Irish Olympic Team in London’, a dedicated classroom resource and CD which is teaching pupils as young as 5 about the Games and spurring them to emulate their feats.
Through the new ‘The 2012 Olympic Team in London’ programme, launched by Prim-Ed and the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), pupils nation-wide using the classroom-based educational pack will also learn about the history of the Olympics, what it takes to be an elite athlete, and will get the inside track on our Olympic hopefuls as they go through their qualifiers and prepare for London 2012.
Co-launching the resource with boxer and qualified Olympian, Darren O’Neill, Irish boxing hero and Olympic gold medallist, Michael Carruth, said: “It is important that school children learn about the Olympics and Ireland’s proud role in the games over the years – and these new educational aids really fit the bill.”
Teacher Darren O’Neill said he is thrilled to back the new resource. “The Olympics only come around every four years and the fact that they are next door in London this year is extra special. Teachers are always looking for new ways to make the curriculum relevant and make learning fun and this PrimEd/OCI initiative ticks all the boxes. It shows pupils what’s involved in getting to the Olympics, how much work it takes and I am all in favour of anything which encourages pupils to get active, get into sport and believe that their Olympic dreams can also come true,” the 5th Class teacher said.
Prim-Ed is already well established as a leading Irish educational book publisher, teacher resource provider and interactive whiteboard distributor. The ‘2012 Olympics Team in London’ project is an exciting new venture for the Wexford-based company which is now the exclusive, official educational publisher in Ireland of the complete teacher resource for the London games.
The pack for schools is tailored to pupils aged 5-8, 8-10 and 11 plus and comprises a book with an interactive CD, digital books and a decorative pack which include a poster, door hanger, stickers and banners. While its designed for use in the classroom, the publishers say it is also likely to be a huge hit with sports-mad children to use at home.
Prim-Ed MD, Seamus McGuinness, said children learn best when stimulated by material relevant to their world and interests and is confident the Olympics resource will be a huge hit in primary schools right around the country.
“The copymasters and digital versions, which can be used on interactive whiteboards, will include teacher’s notes, curriculum links and lesson plans. They will feature up-to-date information on our Irish athletes and also past heroes.
“This OCI partnership will help teachers harness the Olympic spirit in our classrooms and bring the spirit of the games to life, while at the same time improving literacy, numeracy, geographical knowledge, dietary and nutrition plans in a fun, exciting and new way.”
OCI president, Pat Hickey, said the exclusive Prim-Ed partnership is an exciting new venture for them and a natural ‘in’ to primary schools right throughout the country. “We are extremely conscious of fostering a love of sport among budding athletes of all ages. The Prim-Ed partnership will help instil a love of the games in children as young as 4 and encourage them to reach for the stars.
"It’s also a great way to encourage pupils to get active, be conscious of the importance of diet and nutrition, while also learning in a fun environment. It’s going to be busy in the run-up to the Games and with the help of Prim-Ed Publishing, pupils in primary schools nationwide will be as savvy as sports reporters and be able to follow their heroes every step of the way,” he said.