SCHOOLS are lining up activities to prepare their students for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in August.

They will enjoy exciting games, competitions and cultural exchange programmes.

Related link: » Schools on track to ensure student support for YOG

Catholic High School, for example, is taking steps to make its students familiar with Switzerland and the Philippines, the two countries it is twinned with.

The school has already started cultural exchange programmes with the Philippines, and is now roping in Swiss expatriates and officials from the Swiss embassy here to organise a series of Switzerland-related activities.

In the works: talks on the Swiss economy and how it achieved success, as well as a Swiss cultural and music night.

At North View Primary in Yishun, pupils and teachers have come up with their own version of the popular card game Snap.

The game, which matches cards based on festivals and other aspects of culture here and in Lebanon, allows players to learn about the ways of life in the two countries.

The school has also held its own Olympic Games, with pupils taking the Olympic pledge and competing in games such as spinning hula hoops.

As for St Hilda's Secondary, efforts have been made to include teachers in the game plan so they will be able to encourage students to learn about their twinned countries. Teachers have been split into two groups, Tanzania and Iceland, and have been competing in various school sports and games in these teams since last June.

Fun aside, schools are also paying attention to how students can learn about the sporting spirit. Raffles Institution students, for example, have been posting their thoughts about the YOG on their school website.

Over at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), the games and what they represent will be discussed during assembly talks, English lessons and pastoral care sessions.

And Nanyang Junior College will promote YOG values such as friendship and respect during its sports carnival.

ACS(I) principal Ong Teck Chin said: 'The YOG provides a good platform to share Olympic values such as excellence and friendship. These are also values that we want to ingrain in our students.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.