The Road to Rio continues at Cronton Sixth Form

For the fourth year in a row, Cronton Sixth Form College were host to the annual Halton School Games, a two day sporting spectacular delivered in partnership with Halton School Games Organiser, Karen Drake.
The games were originally established as a legacy to the London Olympic and Paralympics in 2012. This year the event was themed ‘Road to Rio’ in preparation to the build up to this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brazil. Nineteen schools and approximately 740 children took part in the event over two sunny days at the College. The first year the event was delivered saw 7 schools and approximately 350 children taking part, which demonstrates how the games have grown from strength to strength over the 4 years.

Mayor of Halton, Councillor Ellen Cargill, officially opened the event on Thursday 5th May to an audience of excited children. The opening ceremony involved two A level dance students deliver a warm up session, getting the children in the Road to Rio carnival spirit.
Also at the games were Merseyside School Games mascot ‘Jigstar’, Liverpool FC mascot Mighty Red, and Widnes Vikings mascot Kemik the Viking, who welcomed and encouraged the children throughout the two days.
Prior to the event, each school was given a different country for the children to study. They then designed and created headdresses, flags and clothing to represent their country at the games.
The children from years 2 and 4 rotated around a number of Olympic and Paralympic themed activities that were delivered throughout the day, giving them the opportunity to try out new sports. The activities were planned, designed and delivered by 80 sport and uniformed services students from the College as part of their course.
At the end of each day, a presentation took place at the College sports hall with Paula Campbell, Sure Maintenance Community Engagement & Events Officer, presenting certificates to the children. The company also provided water and fruit snacks for all the children over the two days.

Friday’s closing ceremony was attended by Maz Pacheco and Mollie Green, members of the Liverpool FC Ladies football team, who also joined in with the children during their activities.
Karen Drake, Halton School Games Organiser, said “The event was a fantastic success thanks to the excellent organisation and delivery by Cronton Sports staff and students. The added bonus was the glorious weather that added to the children’s experience of trying new sports and activities designed and delivered by the Cronton Students, which were all fully inclusive, engaging and great fun.
“Special thanks must go to all the Cronton Sixth Form staff, Liverpool Ladies FC, and Widnes Vikings RLFC who supported the event, along with Sure Maintenance who supplied water and fruit snacks for all the children. The event really has got the children all inspired for a great summer of sporting entertainment in Rio.”
School that took part:
On Thursday 5th May the College welcomed; Hill View Primary School, Castle View Primary School, Weston Primary School, Widnes Academy, St Martin’s Primary School, St. Bede’s Catholic Junior School, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary, Farnworth Church of England Primary School, and St Basil’s Primary School.
Friday 6th May’s event included; Westfield Primary School, St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, Our Lady Mother of the Saviour Catholic Primary School, Saint Gerard’s Roman Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Gorsewood Primary School, Beechwood Primary School, Lunts Heath Primary School, St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, St Michaels Catholic Primary School, and The Brow Community Primary School.