Coleraine College’s creative challenges

While students were busy completing their academic school work remotely, great efforts were made to maintain the pastoral link with pupils during these challenging times.

While lots of relevant information was communicated to parents and pupils through the school’s social media platforms and through email, college staff kept busy phoning every home for a chat and a catch up with parents and pupils.

Since schools closed in March the PE Department encouraged College pupils to remain active and healthy while at home (obviously following Government advice on exercising and social distancing) through a series of weekly challenges posted on their Instagram page. These included a 20 second “keepy-up” competition and a “trick shot” activity.

A decision was taken to challenge the school community to run, walk or cycle a total of 500 miles and raise £250 to buy hampers for the elderly residents of local care homes who were unable to see their family or friends.

The targets were absolutely smashed following an amazing response from the whole school community with staff, pupils, (past and present) parents, grandparents, friends and even a Northern Ireland ladies international footballer, Lauren Wade, who completed a combined total of over 2000 miles, while raising a brilliant £1,400 in the process.

The English Department also got involved, adding a cross-curricular dimension to the project, asking pupils to write “letters of hope” for the care homes to accompany the hampers. Over 80 lovely letters were submitted and are ready to be distributed to the residents to put a smile on their faces.

Mr Ricky Marsh, Principal, Coleraine College commented,

“I am very proud of how our school responded during these uncertain times and how we have continued to stay connected with not just our school community, but the wider local community. The PE Challenge was fantastic. It is refreshing and very encouraging to see so many people thinking of others less fortunate, while promoting regular exercise is crucial in helping to maintain positive physical and mental health.”

31 May 2020