Pass the Passion Festival

On 24 September 2010, Dover Castle provided the fantastic setting for the first Pass the Passion Festival.

A year on since the Pass the Passion Schools’ Torch Relay, the Festival saw pupils from all 52 schools across Dover, Deal and Sandwich come together to explore the Olympic and Paralympic values.

Wenlock, the London 2012 Olympic Mascot, was also in attendance to meet pupils, staff and parents!

The day also marked the culmination of the Pass the Passion flag design competition, where each school proudly displayed their very own flag representing their school and their enthusiasm for the London 2012 Games. All of the flags were designed by pupils at each school, with a colourful parade marking the beginning of the Festival.

Over 500 children from primary, secondary and special schools from across the Dover District attended a number of exciting sports and arts workshops throughout the day. Inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic values, workshops included healthy eating, rowing, sitting volleyball, mural making and much much more! There was also a special workshop delivered by the ParalympicGB education team.

In the afternoon, some of the schools presented a play about the history of the Olympics and Paralympics, with some outstanding performances providing the highlight of the day for many!

The day was a great success and it was brilliant to see all of the Dover District Schools so engaged with Pass the Passion. The Pass the Passion Festival relied on excellent partnership working between KCC’s Sport, Leisure & Olympics and Kent Extended Services, Vista Leisure, Aiming High, Future Creative, Eastern and Coastal Kent Community Services, Sea Change and all 52 schools across Dover, Deal and Sandwich.

We were delighted that Baroness Andrews, Chairwoman of English Heritage, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Education Sarah Hohler and local MP Charlie Elphicke were all able to join the young people for the day.