THIS is the moment that rainy weather couldn’t dampen spirits as a replica Olympic Torch passed between two Dorchester schools.

Pupils from Broadmayne First School lined up to see the torch arrive by fire engine yesterday.

The ceremony was part of a project by Dorchester Area School’s Partnership (DASP) to get all 19 of Thomas Hardye’s feeder schools to join in with Olympic and Paralympic 2012 celebrations.

Broadmayne First School head teacher Melanie Austin said: “The children are so excited.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to promote multiculturalism and sport whilst giving the pupils a better global understanding.

“Before half-term the whole school was put in to mixed aged groups to learn about Olympic values and they made artwork which is now hanging up in the school hall.

“Because of their young age, a lot of the pupils have never experienced the Olympics before.

“This is such a nice way to teach them about it.”

The replica was passed over by Damers First School which had been looking after it since before half term.

A lucky group of 12 pupils from the school were given golden tickets for their work with the Olympic and Paralympic values and travelled in a mini bus behind the engine to Broadmayne First School.

There were excited cheers in the playground as pupils spotted the fire engine which had been kept as a surprise.

Dorchester Fire crew manager Steve Clarke said: “It’s important for the fire crew to be a part of the community and give something back – plus it’s really nice to see all of the excited little faces.”

Each class has chosen one of the five continents to represent and pupils will dress up in sports wear or as their favourite sporting heroes for a special day of activities planned for today.

Pupil Erica Parker, 7, said: “I am going to dress up as a gymnast and I am going to show some of my moves in the hall.”

Pupil Amelie Nixon, 9, said: “We have been learning about the Olympic values of equality, determination, courage, friendship and excellence.

“I am going to dress up as a tennis player tomorrow as I play tennis outside of school.”

The torch will also be passed in a relay between every pupil and will be taken by horse and carriage to Frome Valley First School on Friday afternoon.

Symobilc school journey

In the build up to the Olympics a replica torch made by schoolchildren has been working its way through Dorset It is now travelling through all 19 of Thomas Hardye’s feeder schools as part of a project by Dorchester Area School’s Partnership (DASP).

The East Dorset Pupil Voice came up with the idea to relay the replica.

DASP organiser Mel Lane said the torch had been on its journey through north and east Dorset for two years.

She said: “Our motto is: ‘One school for all’.”