A prototype of the Olympic torch was brought into Burgess Hill School for Girls on Wednesday 18th January.
The torch, which was originally made in Coventry, was delivered to the school by Mrs MacKenzie, a representative of Lloyds TSB, which is the National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
The Mayor of Burgess Hill, Mr Thomas-Atkin, attended the school to witness the special occasion.
The Senior School athletics team were given the unique opportunity to run around the school grounds with the prototype. The girls were cheered on by many of the Senior School students who gathered outside and watched from classroom windows to see the torch.
The runners were joined by P.E. teacher, Mrs Tapping, for whom the run was a practice event for the Olympics this summer. Mrs Tapping has been selected to carry the real Olympic torch on 17th July between Brighton and Hastings.
The torch was carried into the Junior School for a special assembly about the Olympics, presented by Year 8 students.
Burgess Hill Mayor, Mr Thomas-Atkin, said “It was great for us to see the Olympic Torch in Burgess Hill ahead of the arrival of the Olympic flame to the UK in May. The Year 8 girls gave us a very informative presentation, which certainly increased our knowledge about the Torch and the Olympics.”
“Having seen the Torch and had the opportunity to hold it will give a sense of involvement when we watch the flame finally arriving at the Opening Ceremony – we can all say that that I held one of those torches!”
Former pupil of the school, Georgi Ridler, 19, has also been selected to be a torchbearer for the Olympics on 17th July and Sabie Rainton, 21, will be dancing in the closing ceremony of the Olympics. Another former pupil, Lucy Rogers, 19, has been asked to design costumes for the opening ceremony of the sailing events at Weymouth and Textiles teacher, Mrs Bradley, has been working with the Trefoil Guild, affiliated to the Guide movement, to make some of the 14,000 pennants (commemorative flags) which will be given to all the athletes taking part in the games.