School of the Month Award

 BADMINTONscotland's Primary and Secondary School of the Month Award

BADMINTONscotland have re-launched the “School of the Month” Award for the 2012/13 badminton season. This initiative recognises the remarkable efforts of schools from across Scotland that show a commitment to developing and promoting the sport of badminton through both school based and out of school badminton activity. The "School of the Month" Award is presented to a different school each month which is selected based on a self-nomination process using the criteria listed below as a guide plus any additional relevant information:  

Criteria for Nomination 

• Schools are affiliated to BADMINTONscotland/Scottish Schools Badminton Union (SSBU)
• Badminton is included as part of the PE curriculum within the school.
• Teachers within the school have attended a BADMINTONscotland CPD module/s
• Schools may have participated in any or all of the following BADMINTONscotland schools Development initiatives-(Primary Curriculum for Excellence Badminton Pack, Play Badminton Festivals, Primary Sportshall Challenge, Intermediate/Higher PE Badminton Coaching Weeks)
• School provides opportunities for children to play badminton during lunchtime or after school clubs.
• Schools entering Regional and National schools tournaments.
• Schools that promote the sport of badminton and encourage an Active and Healthy lifestyle.
• School has a link with a local badminton club, allowing further playing opportunities for pupils.

If you would like your school to be considered for the School of the Month Award please complete the self-nomination form by clicking here.

Winners for the 2012/13 season

September

St Margaret’ School for Girls in Aberdeen has picked up September’s BADMINTONscotland School of the Month Award in recognition of their excellent school badminton programme offering pupils many outstanding opportunities to play the sport.

The award, presented by Racquets Development Officer Joan Prieur at Active Aberdeenshire accolades St Margaret’s focus on developing badminton participation for girls through coaching blocks, lunchtime clubs and School Championships for each year group.

October

Auchinleck Academy in East Ayrshire picked up October’s BADMINTONscotland School of the Month Award in recognition of their school badminton programme comprising of after-school clubs, links to local clubs and the setting up of an Ayrshire wide badminton league. 

The award was presented by BADMINTONscotland’s Coaching & Development Officer John Shearer. Pupils and staff gathered in the games hall to play some friendly games and enjoy some snacks and juice.

November

Kennoway Primary in Fife were worthy winners of the November School of the Month Award. Three staff members have recently attended BADMINTONscotland's Curriculum for Excellence teacher training and are involved in running the school badminton club two nights a week. The number of pupils taking part in school badminton has grown substantially over the last few months and the school has also seen pupils progressing into the Fife regional squad.

The award was presented at an assembly attended by the whole school. There has since been further interest from many other pupils to attend the badminton club.    

December

Knowetop primary in North Lanarkshire picked up the December School of the Month Award. The school’s provide pupils both curricular and extra-curricular badminton, and have 36 pupils attending the after-school club at the nearby Ravenscraig sport facility. The driving force behind the club is parent volunteer Val McKune. Staff and pupils were among the first to visit the new Emirates Arena in Glasgow last November to take part in BADMINTONscotland’s Play Badminton Carnivals; and to watch some of the world’s top players compete in the Scottish International Badminton Championships.

Photo courtesy of Alan Watson, Motherwell Times.

 January

Deans Community High School in West Lothian have scooped the first School of the Month Award in 2013. The award was presented to staff member Marjory McGhee and pupils from the schools badminton club at a school assembly. The school have been involved in a number of school and community based badminton programmes which include; Staff Vs Pupils competitions, Charity Fundraising events, Lothian Schools competitions as well as the schools extremely well attended after-school badminton club.

The schools badminton club continues to grow and there is a focus on attracting new pupils to the club. Local Primary 7 pupils that will attend the school are invited to attend the schools badminton club. This not only attracts pupils to the club but also acts as a fantastic transition experience for the pupils ahead of their entry into 1st year at the school.

The award was presented by BADMINTONscotland's Club and Membership Officer, Fraser Michie.

February

Bannerman High School in Glasgow were worthy winners of February's award. 15 of the school's Sports Leader UK pupils attended BADMINTONscotland's Fun Games for Beginners coaching module. The same pupils attended the Scottish International Badminton Championships in November and have been involved in delivering badminton sessions to 6 local primary schools as part of a secondary transition day.  

March

Dunblane Primary School in Stirlingshire have picked up the March School of the Month Award. Teachers and 4 parent volunteers are involved in running lunch-time badminton clubs every day and have recently attended BADMINTONscotland  teacher CPD training. Staff have been delivering activities from the Curriculum for Excellence pack and have benefited from support from the local Active Schools team and Development Officer Lindsay Campbell.

April

Lochgilphead High School in Argyll and Bute were our April winners of the School of the Month Award. Active School Co-ordinator Jillian Gibson commended both staff and pupils for their commitment to developing badminton within the school. Pupils from the school participated in the Argyll and Bute Secondary Championships and the after-school club has 25-30 pupils attending regularly. The club is run by Sports Leaders pupils, who have all been put through the Badminton Basics Coaching Course. The school have recently organised inter-school competitions with another local high school to give pupils the chance to compete against other pupils.

Photograph courtesy of Ellie Donald.

May

Stoneyhill Primary School in East Lothian were worthy winners of the School of the Month Award for May. The award, presented by Badminton Development Officer Christine Black and Junior Internationalist Megan Richardson, recognises the fantastic efforts of staff and volunteers in providing opportunities for pupils to participate and compete in badminton. BADMINTONscotland’s Primary Curriculum for Excellence Pack has been introduced as part of the PE Curriculum and there is a strong after-school club run by a parent volunteer. The school have taken part in many schools competitions and this season won the Mid/East Lothian Primary Quaich Competition, which qualified the school for the National Finals. 14 pupils entered the Mid/East Lothian Primary Championships, winning 2 out of 4 titles.

School of the Month Award Winners from the 2011/12 season included:

Culloden Academy- Highland

Dunbar Grammar- East Lothian

Cumbernauld Primary- North Lanarkshire

Donibristle Primary- Fife

Hyndland Primary- Glasgow

Lornshill Academy- Clackmannan

Mill O'Forest Primary- Aberdeenshire