The London 2012 Organising Committee today announced that the under 16s Volunteer Performer Cast for the Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies will be selected from schools in the six east London Host Boroughs.<br/><br/>Danny Boyle, Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Artistic Director, recently paid a visit to Colegrave Primary School in Newham, one of the <a href="http://getset.london2012.com/en/home">Get Set </a>schools selected to audition for the London 2012 Ceremonies.<br/><br/><br/>

Danny Boyle, Artistic Director of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, is pictured with the Ceremonies team to mark six months to go to London 2012.<br/><br/>The name of the Olympic Opening Ceremony show has been revealed as 'Isles of Wonder', inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest, and will be a celebration of the exuberant creativity of the British genius.

British electronic music pioneers Underworld have been <a href="http://www.london2012.com/news/2011/12/underworld-announced-as-music-directors-for-olympic-game.php">appointed Music Directors</a> for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. <br/><br/> The appointment completes the team of senior creatives that will lead the direction of the London 2012 Ceremonies.

Seb Coe visits children at Oak Lodge School in Wandsworth to speak to help launch a special week of Olympic and Paralympic figures giving talks in state schools and colleges.<br/><br/>The schools and colleges taking part in the London 2012 Speakers for Schools Week are all part of the <a href="http://getset.london2012.com/en/home" target="_blank">Get Set network</a>, in recognition of their work to incorporate the Olympic and Paralympic Values into their curriculum.

Action from the London Prepares Weightlifting International Invitational, which took place at ExCeL from 10-11 December 2011. <br/><br/>Azerbaijan celebrated two gold medals at the event following a win by Intigam Zairov in the men's 94kg and Yuliya Dovhal in the women's +75kg. <br/><br/>The competition was a part of the <a href="http://www.londonpreparesseries.com/">London Prepares series</a>, the London 2012 test event programme.

The Taekwondo International Invitational took place from 3-4 December 2011 at ExCeL.<br/><br/> The event was assigned G3 Status by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), and competing athletes were able to receive points towards their world ranking. <br/><br/> The competition was a part of the <a href="http://www.londonpreparesseries.com/">London Prepares series</a>, the London 2012 test event programme.

The London International Invitational Wrestling event took place from 10-11 December 2011 at ExCeL.<br/><br/>Russia claimed four golds at the event in the Freestyle women's 72kg, men's 60kg, men's 74kg and men's 96kg. In other Freestyle categories, Swedish sisters Johanna and Sofia Matteson took a gold each in the women's Freestyle 69kg and 55kg respectively. <br/><br/>The competition was a part of the <a href="http://www.londonpreparesseries.com/">London Prepares series</a>, the London 2012 test event programme.

London 2012 mascots Wenlock and Mandeville joined Father Christmas at a special party at Downing Street to celebrate the School Games.<br/><br/>Pupils and staff from participating schools, the Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt and sports stars Audley Harrison, Mark Foster and Jason Gardener also attended the event.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.yourschoolgames.com/RegisterYourSchool.aspx" target="_blank">The School Games</a> is a unique opportunity to motivate and inspire millions of young people across the country to take part in more competitive sport.<br/><br/>The Prime Minister David Cameron said: 'The School Games are a great way to encourage young people to play more competitive sport, as well as getting involved in the excitement around the Olympic and Paralympic Games.'<br/> 

Wenlock and Mandeville join Tom and Carrie Fisher at the song launch at Great Ormond Street Hospital School.