Health Fayre 2015
Dalziel celebrated 21 years of its annual Health Fayre last week.
1994 saw the first such event and it was very much an information giving event with tables full of pictorial displays and groaning under the weight of pamphlets providing details on how to cope with various illnesses and troubles and how to improve and develop health.
Through the years the focus has shifted to a much more hands-on interactive type event with various displays and tasks to be completed. This was very much the case this year with a series of physical tests designed around 21 secs (21st birthday = 21 secs). Co-ordination, agility, endurance, balance, speed and timing were all included along with the traditional Passport to Health measurements, fruit juices and of course St Andrews Ambulance. This latter group are the one element of the Health Fayre to remain consistent throughout the 21 years history.
As special guest this year, the school was delighted to welcome along Commonwealth games Gold medalist Charlie Flynn. In a typically honest and very humorous speech Charlie detailed his belief about how important it is to be positive to health and fitness. He also provided an insight into this Commonwealth games experience.
Having opened the Fayre he then presented Knowetop Primary pupil Abbie McKellar with her prize for designing the programme cover before being besieged by pupils who clamoured for photographs and autographs. In typical fashion Charlie did everything that was asked of him and always with a smile on his face.
The week’s events included the annual joust on the rowing machines between staff and senior pupils. To redress the balance of last years’ defeat the male staff managed a good win but the ladies were outdone by the senior girls. It’s a moot point but this competition is one of those where one team stays young while the other gets older as the years progress.
Beach volleyball is always a very popular event as well and was run slightly differently this time round due to the new configuration of the school day and the reduced lunch time. Preliminary games were held on Tuesday with finals day on Friday. Competition was high – both in terms of fancy dress beach wear and volleyball skills.
S4 pairing of Heather Steel and Laura Prentice overcame their S6 opponents Olivia Quinn and Alison McNeil in the girls event while Nathan Reid and Scott Moonie managed a win over S4 pupils Ross Hendry and Martin Quigley.
The Blood donor programme was again part of the weeks’ events and 47 units of blood were provided by volunteer staff and first time donors from the senior cohort. This is SUCH an important service and one to which everyone can contribute.
The Primary Sportshall event is another popular and extremely noisy event. The three main feeder primaries bring their P6/7 pupils along with competition as always intense. Active schools co-ordinator Graeme Shaw was to the fore in ensuring the event ran smoothly while Pat Kelly of Law Athletics club was also on hand to provide his experience. This year Knowetop were the outright winners with Glencairn 2nd and Ladywell 3rd. Many thanks to the primary staff for their team selection and supervision on the day.
Dalziel S3 pupils were also on hand to provide support and to carry out measuring and recording. Friday is activities day and Dalziel welcomed three visiting groups to provide taster sessions for the S1-3 pupils. Above the Rim Basketball club, Law and District Athletics and NLL Dance were all present and put the pupils through their paces. The Health Fayre is run by a small committee under the stewardship of DHT Jennifer Di Mambro and she as always deserves thanks for her efforts to ensure things run smoothly. The event would not run without the massive contribution from classroom assistant Anne Walker and Librarian Catriona Allan who man the Assembly Hall throughout the week-long event.
Many thanks also go to Alistair Stewart PT Physical Education, who once again organised all lunch time sports activities and the Friday taster events in his usual meticulous and enthusiastic fashion. Finally, many thanks to the following exhibitors for their assistance in providing stalls, displays and for dealing with the pupils Mrs Christine McCallum, Mrs Kathleen Agnew, St Andrews Ambulance, New College, Pasta King, SAMH, Oral Health and Road Safety
Click Here to view the Health Fayre 2015 Photo Gallery