5 minute read
Paralympic sport stories spark inclusive classrooms
A ground-breaking education initiative is giving tamariki across Aotearoa a new perspective on disability, leadership and what it means to be truly inclusive – and it’s already reaching hundreds of schools.
Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ), with support from Toyota, runs Seeing is Believing – a free, nationwide education programme designed for New Zealand primary schools.
Built on the power of storytelling and the visibility of disabled athletes, the programme introduces students to the values of the Paralympic movement through the lives of Paralympians and Para athletes.
More than 400 schools across Aotearoa have already implemented the programme, which uses accessible, easy-to-integrate teaching materials that align with the New Zealand Curriculum. Lesson plans, activities and videos help kaiako explore Para sport, inclusion and resilience – all through a values-based lens.
Rooted in the internationally recognised I’mPOSSIBLE framework from the International Paralympic Committee, Seeing is Believing focuses on transforming classroom mindsets and encouraging students to think about how they define ability – in themselves and others.
PNZ education lead Kasey Wilson, who helped bring the programme to life, says her own teaching experience highlighted the need for a more inclusive approach to classroom learning.
“Coming from a teaching background, I knew there was a need for innovative and transformative teaching resources that could be adapted and integrated into any learning context,” she explains.
“Having inclusive practice in the classroom has always been at the forefront of my teaching values and we felt there was a huge opportunity to leverage disability and inclusion through the exploration of our Paralympians, Para athletes and the Paralympic Movement.
“It really encourages us, as teachers, to think critically about our practice and what we all define as ‘possible’.”
Originally hoping to reach 80 schools in the programme’s first year, Kasey was amazed by the response.
“I have been blown away by the uptake and engagement by the schools across Aotearoa New Zealand in Seeing is Believing.
“Without doubt the programme has been beneficial in driving more conversation around disability and inclusiveness in the classroom and we are looking forward to seeing more of this growth in 2025 and beyond.”
Transforming school culture
The heart of the programme lies in how it resonates with ākonga – especially those who may not always feel seen or celebrated in the classroom.
At Roto-o-Rangi School in Cambridge, Seeing is Believing helped shape a powerful moment of connection and selfconfidence for one student, Willow.
Discovering she shared the same type of cerebral palsy as Paralympic gold medallist Lisa Adams gave her the courage to deliver a heartfelt speech about her ‘superpower’.
The speech not only moved her classmates but earned her a special judges’ award at a local community competition.
“She won the special judges’ award that night and I know that many people in the audience had tears in their eyes,” says Willow’s teacher, Wendy Morris.
Principal Wayne Donnellon says the programme had a ripple effect throughout the school.
“I would say to any other school, go for it,” he says. “Every moment you put into the programme you get back tenfold.”
Deputy principal Emma Williamson also noticed real shifts in peer understanding.
“The biggest impact on our tamariki is their greater awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities,” she says.
“I know that they are more understanding of Willow and what she is having to go through daily. Willow herself seems lighter. It feels like she feels more included because people understand her better.”
Role models who roll up
One of the most engaging aspects of Seeing is Believing is the Harvey Norman Para Sport Champions initiative – a series of school visits by Paralympians and Para athletes who share their journeys with students in person.
At Ōrewa Beach School, 11-year-old Sonny – a wheelchair user who had been off school and feeling disconnected –found his spark again after a visit from Para athlete Jaden Movold.
Jaden spoke to more than 200 students and gave Sonny a chance to explore his racing chair and equipment.
The transformation was clear when Jaden returned to the school later in the year for a TVNZ and Toyota filming session. Sonny, who had been away due to illness, got to race Jaden on the courts, cheered on by classmates.
“I saw a positive mood shift in Sonny after meeting Jaden,” says teacher Helen Jury. “Seeing the smile on his face when his peers cheered him on was special.”
What’s next for the programme
Following its first-year success, PNZ will release an updated resource later in 2025 to introduce students to Para sports that weren’t covered in the original material.
A Winter Paralympic-specific version of the resource is also set to launch in September, ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
Kasey says the demand from schools proves that students – and teachers – are ready for richer conversations about difference, resilience and identity.
“Disabled and non-disabled learners have the opportunity to feel seen and celebrated for all their abilities and this has really challenged our community to redefine their possible,” she says.
“They are looking to our Paralympians and Para athletes as huge role models for resilience and pushing the boundaries and I think their stories have really resonated with not only our tamariki but all involved members of the school community and even whānau as well.”
About Seeing is Believing
Free classroom resources designed for Years 1–8.
Focused on inclusion, the Paralympic Movement, Para sport, and values-based learning.
Inspired by the International Paralympic Committee’s I’mPOSSIBLE resource.
Includes lesson plans, activities and access to real-life athlete ambassadors.
More than 400 schools have already participated, with 72 school visits completed in 2024.
Teachers can sign up via the PNZ Education website.
