Pupils from six primary and a middle school from across the North East arrived at Newcastle University for the much-anticipated Mini Olympics, part of the Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages. The event was a runaway success, with places snapped up in record time as soon as the opportunity was released to schools back in November.
Schools taking part were Blaydon West Primary, Broadwood Primary (Newcastle), Wingrove Primary (Newcastle), Bowes Primary (Durham), St Michael’s Primary (North Shields) and Hexham Middle School, with each school representing a different country throughout the day.
Hosted at Newcastle University’s Sport Centre, the Mini Olympics combined physical activity with learning about languages, cultures and global citizenship. Pupils rotated through a range of Olympic‑themed challenges and team sports, while also taking part in country‑based activities exploring history, culture and language. Newcastle University student interns designed the day and supported pupils throughout the morning, encouraging teamwork, enthusiasm and collaboration.
We had a brilliant morning welcoming schools to Newcastle University to take part in our annual Mini Olympics. It is a fantastic event, full of fun and enthusiasm, with pupils taking part in a mix of Olympic‑themed activities. It was great to see all the young people working as a team while representing different countries. We hope everyone enjoyed it as much as our student leaders running the day, and we look forward to seeing everyone again next time.
Maddy Wood, Newcastle University Sport
All pupils taking part received a certificate to recognise their participation in the day, and many were also awarded medals. These celebrated not only success in the sporting activities, but also wider achievements such as being strong team players, showing determination, trying their hardest and supporting others.
Part of the event was based around individual athlete testing type exercises that all young people could try. The other part of the event was based around mini versions of team games including, football, basketball, dodgeball etc. The schools played lots of little games giving everyone the chance to get involved.
Whilst the programme of sport delivery was going on, there was a series of country-based tasks that the young people could work through in their group, with an opportunity to share some of this with the other ‘countries’ to share their learning. The event aimed to bring everyone together to enjoy sport through the lens of different countries and cultures.
It was wonderful to see the children so engaged. Sport is a wonderful route to learn about other countries, cultures and languages and Newcastle University staff and students were exceptional, making sure all the children had a great time.
Sarah Edgar, Newcastle City Council (School Effectiveness) and Festival Steering Group
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