Children from St Osyth C of E Primary School, near Clacton on Sea, were thrilled to receive a visit from Liz Johnson, 100m Breaststroke gold medal winner at the 2008 Paralympic Games and London 2012 hopeful to celebrate the 1000th school to have registered on the programme. Here the children are receiving their certificate for having taken part in the Communication Triathlon.
What is the Communication Triathlon
With our unique reach across the country in the communications network, we keep people chatting, no matter where they are. Last year we were looking for a different way to work with communities, and we thought as we're rolling out the next generation network, why not help to improve the communication skills of the next generation to use it?
So we worked with our charity partner I CAN to develop the Communication Triathlon; a scheme to help primary school children develop their speaking and listening skills. And with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games just around the corner, we've given the scheme - which focuses on thinking, talking and teamwork skills - a sports theme, to bring the Olympics right into the classroom.
How the Communication Triathlon works
To really get the feel of the Games, schools start the Triathlon with an opening ceremony, then use the fun, sports-themed activities throughout the week – or however long the school decides – to improve thinking, talking and teamwork, ending with a closing ceremony. Activity materials including sample certificates and guidance notes can all be downloaded from the link immediately below, free of charge. All you need do is register at http://www.communicationtriathlon.org.uk/
Why are Openreach involved?
We're proud to be the official Telecommunications Infrastructure Partner for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We're playing a leading role in making these a success by providing the communications infrastructure that will connect over 94 Games locations across the UK, and will also help to keep athletes from over 205 countries in touch with friends and family.
We wanted to do our bit to improve the communication skills of the next generation and to contribute in a positive and visible way to the communities that we're part of.
So what's this got to do with the London 2012 Games?
Not only have we designed the scheme around the Games, but we’ve also worked so that the Communication Triathlon can continue after the Games have ended. The scheme is our contribution to Get Set - the London 2012 education programme - which aims to leave a lasting legacy after the Games. Visit www.london2012.com/getset for more information.
