A National Charity Event Hosted by Winston
Last week The Winston Churchill School hosted in association with Active Surrey, a Panathlon Challenge for 7 schools in the Surrey district: Rodborough, Kings College, Freemantles, The Abbey School, Salesians, Greenford and we also had the opportunity to enter our own team.
A 'Panathlon' is a national charity event which hosts a series of different sporting activities that have been specifically adapted for children with physical disabilities and/or learning difficulties where there is a specified special educational need.
This allowed students in years 7,8 & 9 the opportunity to have the chance to represent themselves and their school to take part in competitive sport. There were varied sporting stations such as 'seated' ten-pin bowling; curling; paddle table tennis; standing long jump (or wheelchair push), to name but a few. Each school had a team of up to 8 students and each activity enabled every child to access a different skill set and feel a real sense of achievement.
Our team of participating students were coached by 2 very special Winston role models in Y11. They had to overcome their own fears as they too have special educational needs and hugely stepped out of their comfort zone to model inspirational behaviour and generate effort from all to gain competitive points. There were smiles all round and an infectious enthusiasm in the air.
As hosts of this competition our Y11 PE prefects managed and led this special event. As their GCSE exams are soon approaching this was probably the last opportunity for them to lead in their PE prefect roles. They did an amazing job from greeting the schools as they entered our site; to carefully listening to the owner who trained them on each sport; to effectively communicating with every child making them feel safe, comfortable and confident; to awarding every school and participant with a special medal for great achievement.
They showcased their fantastic sports leadership to help make a difference to every child taking part. They had such a positive impact, and in fact, every Winston student involved is part of a special group of motivational young people who demonstrated such impeccable, respectful behaviour. They delivered a high standard of instruction and involvement at each sporting station, removing barriers so they could all excel, enjoy and achieve.
The owner of the Panathlon challenge had this to say:
"Thank you so much for this morning.
Your leaders were some of the best I have worked with not just this year but the past 4 years.
They were a massive credit to the school and themselves and if honest would have them with me on any event.
You should be very proud of yourself and the team at the school."
They were also referenced on Twitter from one of the participating schools:
" Thank you to the team for organising a superb event! The Winston Sports Prefects were outstanding!" Rodborough School
Well done to everyone who participated in this event, we are extremely proud of everyone, and we would like to wish the best of luck to those schools who progressed to the next stage of the competition.
The WCSC PE Department
Mrs S Walton
