Get Set is the official London 2012 education programme for schools and colleges across the UK. It aims to involve as many young people as possible in the excitement and inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games whilst also developing their leadership, personal, thinking and life skills.

Craig, who captained England to gold at both the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games, visited the College in St Helens, Merseyside to mark the special day. As well as presenting the plaque, he also gave an inspiring presentation to students telling them of his experiences with sport to encourage them to achieve their full potential and reach their goals.

The talk was very well received by everyone at the College particularly because over the last few months staff and students at Carmel have been engaging with the Olympic values thanks to the work being led by the College’s Further Education Sports Coordinator, Jamie Hampson.

Jamie said: “The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students and staff. During 2010, our vision is to create opportunities for students to highlight all the good work they do, both sporting and non-sporting, based around three of the seven Olympic Values - friendship, courage and excellence.

“Next year, we will work towards three different values and finally in 2012 all seven values will be promoted in the run up to the Games. It’s also a great opportunity to link with other schools and colleges in the UK and around the world to promote how we are preparing for the Games in our college and country.”

From now to the start of the Games, Carmel plans to offer many different activities both through the enrichment programme and through the curriculum. Just some of the projects coming up are; the annual National School Sports Week, the hosting of an Olympic themed sports day, the option of an ‘Olympic Athlete’s Diet’ once a week in the College refectory, a range of sporting options getting more students involved in a physical activity each week, and further developing the links the College already has with schools abroad through its foreign exchange programme.

All students will record their achievements through the College blog on the Get Set website and will get the chance to enter exclusive competitions and prize draws and receive exciting London 2012 goodies.

The other colleges already in Get Set are; Bishop Burton, Canterbury, City of Westminster, Hackney Community, Loughborough, North Hertfordshire, Oldham Sixth Form, Tyne Metropolitan, and Wakefield.

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