Primary school pupils in Essex were bowled over on Friday 27th September as they enjoyed a Panathlon ten pin event in Harlow.
Rebecca Reay, teacher at Tany’s Dell Primary School, explained what her group of children get from Panathlon.
“The children I bring are deaf, that’s their additional need,” she said to Panathlon reporter Cat Goryn. “It gives them a chance to work with other deaf children. It also gives us chance to work together and be part of a team.”
She added: “One of our children a couple years ago was the only signer in our group, so she was able to mix [at Panathlon] with other children that signed, from different schools. That did so much for her confidence. She was also at the time the only child that wore cochlear implants so for her to go to an event and see the other children with cochlear implants, she was just beaming with a big, big smile. It meant a lot to her.
“Being deaf can be difficult and frustrating for them but when they know they’ve got these nice events to look forward to and get excited about and then go back to the school and tell the other children about it, it makes them feel special and an important part of our school and having an important role within our school.”
One of her students, Harry, secured second place with his individual score, and said afterwards: “It is fun but quite hard because some of the balls are heavy. I’ve been bowling before but this is my best score.”
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School were also there – with their student Leah particularly thrilled.
“This was my first time I’ve ever got a strike!” she said.
Teacher Clare Faulkner has been pleased to see the children benefit across different Panathlon events.
“It’s really important to make them involved and just helps their self-esteem,” she said.
