Playing for Success has now drawn to a close for this academic year, with our final sessions taking place earlier this week. Congratulations to: Willow Tree, Sutton Manor, Brook Lodge, Carr Mill and The District primary schools on completing the ten week course.

All the pupils have been fantastic throughout the ten weeks and have been a credit to both their school and themselves. During their time at the Centre, they have worked hard on their Literacy and ICT skills whilst exploring the world of professional sport with St.Helens RL. They have had the opportunity to work in teams, meet first team players, produced articles and press releases to advertise clashes between Saints and their rival teams, as well as produced sensational video adverts to promote the move to the new stadium at the end of the season. All pupils have worked with great enthusiasm and it has been great to see them grow in confidence each week.

We would love to hear your thoughts on your time at Playing for Success. Whether your a teacher, pupil or parent, please feel free to fill in our guestbook.

Last week at the Playing for Success Centre, pupils were given the opportunity to improve their speaking and listening skills through an interview with members of the Saints first team. Pupils interviewed on camera and later put the footage together to create their own 'Saints Chat Show'. Take a look at some of the work they produced in the video above.

Through Playing for Success with Saints, pupils from St. Thomas of Canterbury, Rainford CE, Rivington and St. John Vianney primary schools trained long and hard in order to deliver a sterling performance prior to the Saints v Huddersfield clash. Working with St. Helens Dance Coordinator Karen Elliot and Pink Poison Head Cheerleader Kerry Brogan the pupils created and performed a routine for the crowd.

Through Playing for Success with Saints, pupils from St. Thomas of Canterbury, Rainford CE, Rivington and St. John Vianney primary schools have been putting their dancing shoes on this week, in preparation for a final performance showdown before the Saints v Huddersfield clash. Thirty pupils, many with little or no experience in dance, have been working with St. Helens Dance Coordinator Karen Elliot and Pink Poison Head Cheerleader Kerry Brogan to choreograph a sensational routine to perform for the crowd.

Throughout the week participating pupils have been exploring various styles of dance, including Creative, Street and Cheer as well as having the opportunity to work in the fantastic Playing for Success Centre developing their literacy and ICT skills.

Through funding secured through the partnership between St Helens RLFC, Playing for Success and St Helens Council, it is our aim to work with as many young people across the borough offering a variety of learning experiences through the exciting medium of sport.

Remember, our students will be performing on the pitch prior to the game so come along and give them your support.

This week at the Playing for Success Centre here at Saints, pupils have been looking back at the success of St Helens RLFC over the last decade. By looking at the team's success, pupils were able to identify the important aspects of teamwork and the qualities that a team player must have to help their team achieve success.

Attending pupils had the chance to get their photos taken with the BBC Team of the Year Award, which Saints received in 2006 for their amazing show of teamwork after winning every trophy on offer that year.

Well done to all pupils from attending schools for taking a leaf out of the Saints' book and showing us that when you work as a team you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.

Over the Easter holidays pupils from Bleak Hill, Corpus Christi, St. Julies and Queens Park primaries came together to take part in the Playing for Success literacy project at Saints.

The three day Easter project looked at the role of media, marketing and advertising in the world of Rugby League. Pupils had the opportunity to develop their teamwork and independant learning skills whilst having the chance to work with other youngsters from neighboring schools. Pupils all worked together to produce a Chat show in which they interviewed Saints star Johnny Lomax. Take a look at the results!

The St Helens School Sports Partnerships have joined forces with Community Saints, Playing for Success and Sure Start St Helens to add a different dimension to this years SHE programme.
The girls from Rainhill, St Cuthbert's and Sutton High Sports College accessed boxercise and street dance sessions before Community Saints coach Claire Wellens put them through their paces at a half term dance and cheer camp.

The girls gave up their own time during the school holidays so that they could work on a dynamic routine which they performed prior to the Saints V Crusaders match. Throughout the camp the girls had to work on key skills of communication, co-ordination and teamwork coupled with hours of physical activity to learn the dance routine. Partnership projects like this prove what can be achieved in our community when resources are couples with dedicated quality coaching and the Saints "Can do" attitude to prove the adage "Together Everyone Achieves More".