On September 30th, we were absolutely delighted to return to St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in Billericay for our third Games2Inspire at the school!
John kicked off the day with a whole-school assembly. The assembly is always a fantastic opportunity for the students, teachers, and volunteers to hear about John’s life lessons, learn how sports can be adapted for all abilities, and better understand the value of inclusivity in all areas of life. As always, John’s message was clear: sports are for everyone, and together we can make sure that “no one is left on the bench.”
Years 3, 4, 5, and 6 participated in sitting netball, sitting volleyball, goalball and new age kurling. John’s hope was that students would walk away with not just an appreciation for these new, inclusive sports but also a deeper connection with their peers of various abilities. This certainly came to life, especially with Year 4, who learned an additional, unexpected lesson: the lesson of consequences!
The Year 4 group had been overly excited and found it difficult to focus when asked. As a result, they missed one of the game rotations during their session. However, when John asked the group what they had learned, one student shouted “consequences”; a response that demonstrated a powerful message about the value of listening and respect.
John also recalled one particularly touching moment from his visit:
“A student who had struggled to fully participate in the activities for various reasons came over to me, with his teacher, for a little chat. The teacher shared that the student absolutely loved to draw. This sparked a lovely conversation between us and, it turned out, this student particularly enjoys drawing penguins – a delightful coincidence, as many of us know my infamous penguin story! And so, I asked them if they would consider drawing a penguin for me. Not long before the day came to a close, this same student came over, beaming with pride, and handed me several penguin drawings, all addressed to me. It was a beautiful moment that truly showcased how seen, valued, and included this student felt. He found his own unique way to contribute, and it was heartwarming for everyone involved.”
The day served as a reminder of the power of connection, inclusion, and the difference that small acts of recognition can make. A huge thank you to St Peter’s for having Power2Inspire back once again. We look forward to the next one!
What are Games2Inspire?
Games2Inspire events are incredible events, most often hosted in schools, with an assembly and sports day which includes activities designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, with disabilities and none, sporty and not. Participants get to meet our inspirational founder, John Willis, and hear all about how John has overcome obstacles in his life. They then get to put that learning to practice by playing adapted games and sports together learning new skills and being encouraged to test their beliefs about ability and disability and what it is to be different, learning to respect other people’s differences. Power2Inspire works with them to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you are interested in hosting a Games2Inspire in your school / college / company / community group then we would love to hear from you.
We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
