Tough Race for a Good Cause

Published by Malvern St James Girls' School on Thursday 6th of April 2017

Malvern St James pupil Linnea Gannon (Year 12) is celebrating after organising and running the Tough Schools Race – a gruelling 12-hour non-stop running event – for her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Linnea is a keen sportswoman and having worked with Malvern Special Families as part of her involvement with MSJ’s Charity Committee, and inspired by how physical exercise can help people psychologically, she came up with the idea for her event. After a great deal of hard work and organisation, Linnea’s Tough Schools Race took place on Saturday 18th March at the MSJ Sports Field. Forty-six people, including girls, staff and families, ran, walked and even cartwheeled to raise over £550 for Malvern Special Families. Linnea said, "The event was a success, with a build-up of excitement before, during and after the race. I wanted to leave a mark on MSJ and with the help of all those who supported Tough Schools, I feel I have done that. MSJ has given me the opportunity to grow and reach beyond the boundaries of A Levels." Dr Rebecca Jones – Learning Enrichment and Support Co-Ordinator and Librarian – runs the Project Qualifications programme at MSJ and explains what an EPQ is: “The Project Qualifications are a great opportunity for girls to flex their research, enquiry and curiosity muscles. In Year 10 students can do the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) and in Year 12, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Project Qualifications are incredibly flexible and enable our girls to pick a topic they are passionate about and decide how they want to pursue it. The girls can write an extended essay or produce a written report or an artefact, which can be a piece of art, website, short film or a podcast. Students learn how to reference and utilise a range of resources effectively including databases that are similar to those at universities. EPQs are equal to 50% of an AS Level and they are a talking point on a UCAS application as they show students’ ability to think laterally.”