Panathlon’s work across Wales has been booming in recent years, with Ysgol Pendalar, an SEN school in Caernarfon, one of the schools that have been involved almost from the off.
Jonathan Sadler, sports coordinator at Ysgol Pendalar, has noticed the impact that Panathlon can have on the children there.
“The effect on our pupils is amazing,” he says. “What I feel is brilliant with Panathlon is all pupils can participate – it’s also amazing to see all pupils get a medal, which always makes their day that extra special as they cannot wait to go home and show their parents.
“I can recall a pupil who is in a wheelchair loving every minute, smiling away at every different activity, and as we were finishing, I asked him, ‘Have you enjoyed yourself?’ and he replied, ‘I have had the best day – thank you!’ It’s moments like that which make the job worthwhile, and made me feel quite emotional – a moment I will never forget.”
Mr Sadler would recommend to Panathlon to all schools, not just SEN.
“It’s a wonderful way to get everyone together and enjoy fun activities and work as a team, supporting each other – it’s not just about individual talent but about being a team and having loads of fun in the process!”
