New challenges for a new academic year
This week was all about getting ready to welcome the pupils into school to begin a new academic year and to consider what challenges we might set ourselves. With the Paralympics well underway in Paris it was the perfect opportunity to think about overcoming difficulties so that we might follow our dreams. We looked to Maisie Summers-Newton as our inspiration, now holder of 4 Gold Medals, and someone who never let her doubts or nerves hold her back. Maisie also recently trained as a primary school teacher and is vocal about the importance of inspiring children to believe in themselves. We often speak to the children about resilience and help them to understand that life is full of bumps in the road and unexpected twists that can leave us unsure of ourselves. We want them to have faith in themselves that they can overcome any tougher times and that actually, the greatest barrier is often our own self belief.
It is said that adversity provides opportunity for growth and the history of the Paralympic Games shows us just that.
The origins of the Paralympic Games can be traced back to the aftermath of World War II, a time when many soldiers and civilians were left with disabilities due to injuries sustained during the war. In 1944, the British government invited Dr Ludwig Guttmann, a German-Jewish neurologist who had fled Nazi Germany, to establish a spinal injury unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire. Guttmann believed that sport could be a tool for rehabilitation, one that could improve both physical and mental wellbeing.
In 1948, coinciding with the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, Guttmann organised the first Stoke Mandeville Games, a small archery competition for 16 British war veterans. This event focused on competitive sports for individuals with disabilities. Guttmann’s vision was to use sport not only as a form of rehabilitation but as a way to challenge perceptions about people with disabilities. Over the years the Stoke Mandeville Games grew and became increasingly popular and international. In 1960, the Stoke Mandeville Games became the first official Paralympic Games which were held in Rome with 400 athletes from 23 countries competing in eight sports.
This year in Paris the Paralympic Games will see over 4,400 athletes compete in 22 sports from 168 teams. Alongside the Olympic Games, it is a true celebration of the human spirit.
In our School Meeting, which replaces our weekly assembly, I asked our KS1 and KS2 pupils to think about what challenges they might set themselves this year as they embark on their next learning adventure. The pupils have made an excellent start this week and have embodied our values of Virtue, Learning and Manners in all their interactions.
I wish you all a lovely weekend.
Alice Goodfellow
