Aurora Winter Games launches with memorable first event

Over three action packed days the games focussed on: offering new experiences, building confidence and allowing our young people to experience a togetherness both within their group and through participating and building friendships with people from other schools.

Students experienced the chance to participate at a number of world leading venues including the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield where Jessica Ennis, Audley Harrison and many more trained.

Participation was superb throughout with students tobogganing with bravery; rapidly improving their ice skating; showing superb curling ability on their first attempt; bowling with precision and showing high levels of athletic ability to run faster/ longer, throw further and jump higher/ longer at the English Institute of Sport.

The games village was a nearby residential centre where many students took on their first ever nights away from home with impressive maturity, showed exemplary behaviour and manners around the centre and built friendships within their own and other schools/ colleges.

The event finished with all who had taken part attending a prize giving ceremony and disco to celebrate their success whilst proudly sharing their medals and trophies.

It was great to see the enthusiasm, commitment and positive energy with which our Aurora students from across our regions approached the first ever Aurora Winter Games. Michael Walsh, Aurora Ivy Lane 

Michael Walsh, event organiser and Aurora Ivy Lane headteacher said: “It was great to see the enthusiasm, commitment and positive energy with which our Aurora students from across our regions approached the first ever Aurora Winter Games. Residential experiences are always amongst the most rewarding things a student can experience during their education; but many of us felt this one was extra special as it combined taking students on a residential with the truly unique experience of seeing so many Aurora staff and students having a great time in the same place.

Aurora values were very much on display from the staff team across the three days which helped greatly in running a smooth event. High quality support for all students could be seen, not just in fun things that make the photos, but on the night shifts helping make sure all students had good support even in the early hours of the morning. Now the sleep has been caught up on and the photos shared with parents and carers, we’re all already looking forwards to the next Aurora Games adventure.”