Friday 13th was a very good day at Macclesfield Learning Zone as the campus Sports Centre was officially opened.
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| Pictured from L to R: Libby Clegg, Jim Bisset (Chair of the MLZ), Jenna Downing, Sir Nicholas Winterton MP and Ged Ward (Head of MHS) |
The Centre was buzzing with activity as students took part in trampolining, spinning, gym sessions and Wii Sports. World Extreme Inline Skating Champion Jenna Downing was also on hand to give spectacular inline skating displays and personal coaching sessions to pupils from Park Lane School.
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| Local primary school children gathered for a Sports Festival |
Primary school children came to the campus for an Athletics Festival, organised by the High School’s Sports Coordinator, Chris Shingles. The year 4 and 5 pupils from Ash Grove, Broken Cross, Gawsworth, Ivy Bank, Park Royal and St John’s had a go at javelin, standing long jump, chest push and relay races assisted by Macclesfield High School Sporting Ambassadors and Macclesfield College BTEC Students. They also took part in an exciting rowing competition.
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| Celebrations at the official launch event |
The official opening ceremony included musical performances from three High School pupils and praise from Sir Nicholas Winterton MP for the fantastic facilities now available to students. Libby Clegg, a former Henbury High School student (now Macclesfield High School) who won Silver at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, had the honour of unveiling the commemorative plaque and officially opening the facilities.
Matt Gower, Macclesfield College Sports Coordinator commented: ‘The sports facilities really came alive for the official opening. Students at the Learning Zone can study Sport from GCSE level right up to degree level, but we also have so many students taking part in teams and just doing sport for fun.’
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| Foundation Degree Sports student Paul Bourne instructs Year 11 High School pupil Jack Smith |
The Sports facilities at the Learning Zone are available for community use and include 2 sports halls, a fitness gym, floodlit Astroturf pitches, five turf pitches, tennis courts and a Fitness Gym. The gym, run by Lifestyle Fitness, features the latest cardiovascular and resistance equipment and is staffed by qualified health and fitness instructors.
Sport is a campus wide passion; Park Lane pupils having a soft play room and a number of specially adapted bicycles; Macclesfield College and LZ6 students take part in sports as part of their enrichment activities and Macclesfield High School has recently received the Sportsmark Award from the government for the quality of their sporting provision and achievements.
For more information see www.learningzone.ac.uk
