It was an exciting start to a Tuesday morning as Ysgol Aberconwy pupils and staff were given an amazing opportunity to witness the procession of the Olympic Flame as it paid a visit to the school on day eleven of its relay through the length and breadth of the country.

Pupils arrived early to school and were able to gain an excellent vantage point to cheer and wave as torchbearer, Lucy Beesley, ran past with the flame. Lucy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in December 2010 and has since spent most of her free time fundraising for research into the disease.

To add to the day’s excitement, two of the school’s staff members were interviewed by BBC Radio Cymru presenter, Hywel Gwynfryn, as the National broadcaster follows the Olympic Torch route. Sioned Williams, Curriculum Lead Learner for Welsh, said that her department is using the event to trace the route of the torch through Wales and highlight its significance for the Nation. Whereas Rhydian Jones, Curriculum Lead Learner for P.E., is using the relay to raise the profile of Olympic sports and fire pupils’ enthusiasm for participation in these sports at their own level.

“This event is an excellent springboard to encourage pupils of all ages and abilities to take part in Olympic sports and emphasise that they are not just for elite athletes.” Mr Jones said, “We want to be able to offer a taste of these sports to all pupils and look forward to our Olympic Day on 21st June when we can do just that.”

The school also played host to the Torch Relay organisers and staff and pupils were able to chat to all the torchbearers afterwards and get close to those prized Olympic torches.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for pupils to be able to connect with such an important global event and one which they will remember for a very long time.