Paralympic Week 2019 at Quilters Junior School

For the second year running, Power 2 Inspire was privileged to help host the Paralympic Week 2019 at Quilter Junior School in Billericay, Essex.

It was great joining in with the children trying new sports with such enthusiasm.

Using sitting volleyball, the Paralympic sport Goalball, New Age Kurling based on curling, and polybat, a table tennis derivative, Power2Inspire taught the school that there is no such word as

“Can’t”,

just the phrase

“I can’t….yet!”

John joined in the activities showing the youngsters that disability need not be a barrier to participating.  The pupils particularly enjoyed his sitting volleyball, seeing in action the benefits of practice, perseverance and determination.  These lessons are easily transferred to the classroom – everyone finds some aspect of school life hard, it requires resilience, humour and perseverance to overcome these challenges.  John provides a real life role model of this in action.  He is an unforgettable role-model.  

The pupils competed on Friday Finals Day in classes, with extra points for good teamwork, perseverance, bravery, determination, and caring for others, as well as winning the individual games.  Class 6H were named Quilters Paralympic Week Champions 2019!  And 10 pupils were rewarded for their “giving nature” with a Power2Inspire “Special Award” medal and a masterclass with Paralympic archery double gold medalist Danielle Brown, organised through the Mintridge Foundation and Steve Mitchell of Active Essex.

Over 200 parents, grandparents and carers were invited in to play these inclusive games with their children.  There was much hilarity, laughter and many smiles, and the school’s community was strengthened and expanded.

The impact on the pupils was immense.  Hearing personal stories from disabled athletes and ambassadors about resilience and determination, our pupils were utterly inspired:

Planning will soon begin for the 3rd Annual Quilters Paralympics. Every school should have one!  Contact Power2Inspire if you want your pupils to share the experience those at Quilters had.