The College is committed to maximising opportunities for its students linked to the 2012 Games, and recognising that the Games will present a broad range of opportunities for engagement, is positioning itself to take full advantage already.

Tyne Met began its journey towards 2012 in early 2009 when sports students immersed themselves in the history spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games with week-long project linked to their courses. Just as in Get Set, the official London 2012 Education Programme for schools and colleges, the work began with the Olympic and Paralympic values. Students formed cross-course groups, each assigned a nation and were tasked with researching history, culture and sporting heritage whilst linking their results back to aspects of their own courses such as Health and Safety, Nutrition and Athlete lifestyle.

Since then, Tyne Met college has extended its Games-inspired activity to reach right across the College and involved learners outside of sport, and even non-sportspeople through the Cultural Olympiad. With a strong sporting culture, the College is set to celebrate the North East as a centre of sporting and cultural excellence and to inspire the whole college community, staff and students, to get involved.

The college has staged a 'Tour de Tyne Met' event involving everyone, a five-day shared cycle challenge 'to the Olympic Stadium' on bikes placed around the College. The 483km distance from Tyne Met's Wallsend campus to the Olympic Stadium in London was actually completed a full day early, so participants decided to carry on another 147km around the M25 to Heathrow, which will be an international gateway for London 2012, and flights 'home' to Newcastle.

At the Get Set launch in January, partners of the college were invited in to learn about Get Set and the College's engagement with the Games, whilst being treated to a Games themed lunch of 'On your Marks', 'Half Way' and 'Finishing Line' courses prepared by award-winning student chefs.

College Principal Jon Vincent spoke at the launch supporting all of the activity so far and to come - having also enthusiastically ridden a leg of Tour de Tyne Met himself! As well as thanking his North East Sports Academy staff for starting the Colelge on its Get Set journey, he said: “Get Set is about opportunities for everyone to get involved with the Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Values – right here at the College.”

To see Tyne Met's Get Set blog page, click here