News from the 3/4 Team...

WheelTalk

On Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th August, students in Years 3 and 4 were lucky enough to participate in an incursion called WheelTalk. This incursion supported our new Integrated Unit called 'Someone Else's Shoes'. WheelTalk is an interactive program run by Disability, Sport and Recreation, an organisation that promotes diversity, acceptance, and disability. Our sessions were run by Peter Ogunyemi, a Paralympian, who showcased the talents and achievements of individuals with disabilities whilst sharing his own unique story about living and playing sport with a disability. Students also had the opportunity to play Wheelchair Basketball and understand the complexity of playing a high-level sport whilst in a wheelchair.

Here’s what some of the students in 4JT had to say about the WheelTalk experience:

Mackenzie- “Peter’s story was so inspiring, particularly when he talked about crawling 6 kilometers everyday just to get to school and back. His determination to do that is amazing. I feel like I could never have the same determination that he did”

Flynn- “Peter taught me that people with disabilities can be bullied a lot which can make life so much harder. I’m grateful that I don’t have to experience that”

Alyssa- “Peter told us that it is important that you don’t act differently around people with a disability because we are all just the same, some of us just look a bit different"

Claudia- “Peter taught us that we shouldn’t ever be angry at ourselves and we should admire who we are. He told us to look at ourselves the way we are and not judge anybody”

Laani- “Peter told us that people with disabilities can accomplish the same things that able-bodied people can and to be open minded and always ask questions because if you don’t they won’t know you are curious. He reminded us to be grateful for who we are”

Harry- “It’s amazing that in wheelchair basketball the athletes can turn so well and so quickly, and also shoot so many goals!”

Leonardo- “After hearing Peter speak, I felt very grateful for everything that I have and where I am”

As you can see, this was a truly inspiring and educational experience for everyone involved!

Regards,

The Year 3/4 Team

Cameron Batt, Ray Owens, Sarah Jacobs, Lisa Trevorrow, Lyndsey Thwaites, Sarah Amiconi, Jane Xie and Philip Wickham