Steve Frew, the Commonwealth Games gymnastics gold medallist, is performing the opening ceremony at the event and will be on hand to encourage the children as they take part in activities including athletics, rugby, badminton, hockey, gymnastics, handball and dancing.

Each of the schools have adopted a Commonwealth country for the day and they have been finding out about their ‘country’ as background research and are displaying the appropriate flag as part of the opening ceremony.

The council is committed to encouraging children to adopt a healthy lifestyle and take part in sporting activities.  This latest Festival follows hot on the heels of the Scottish Country Dancing event and Glasgow Primary Schools Cross Country championships in March and a mini-handball competition in February.

Christine Watson, Primary PE manager has been working extremely hard with her colleagues to make sure that the festival is a great success. 

She said today: “We have made sure that all the activities chosen are ones that the children are familiar with and the youngsters will be able to experience everything that is on offer on the day.

“With the help of the Glasgow School of sport, I’m sure that the day will be a fitting celebration for the city as hosts of the Commonwealth Games in 2014.” 

Bailie Gordon Matheson, Glasgow’s Executive Member for Education and Social Renewal,  is delighted that the children have yet another opportunity to take part in a variety of sporting activities. 

He said: “Research has shown that active kids are more likely to do better at school and are healthier in the longer term.  I hope all the children enjoy their day, and I’m sure they will be even more excited than usual because of the Commonwealth theme.”