Going Green and Gold

By Ms Karen Mahar, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Junior School

As the 2024 Paralympic Games kick off in Paris, our Radford community excitedly joined in the celebration by wearing green and gold, the Australian colours that symbolise unity, strength, and pride. These games are not just about sports; they are about inclusivity, social cohesion, and the power of bringing people together, regardless of their backgrounds.

Sport has the incredible ability to break down barriers, foster team spirit, and promote solidarity in the face of challenges. The qualities we see on the field - creativity, fair play, and resilience - are just as important in our everyday lives and work. By supporting the Paralympic Games, we stand for a more harmonious society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Even though one in seven people globally lives with a disability, there are still too many barriers - both physical and social - that prevent some people from living full, independent lives. The Paralympic Games play a crucial role in accelerating the changes needed to ensure that everyone enjoys the same rights, access, and opportunities.

Recently, our Year 5 and 6 students were incredibly grateful to meet Christie Dawes. We were inspired by Christie’s story and how she transformed a limitation into a strength, achieving remarkable success in wheelchair racing. She offered important messages about seatbelts and helmets and left us with a heartfelt reminder to prioritise safety.

There was a terrific moment involving one of our Junior School aspiring young athletes, Emerson Ryan. When Christie placed her real bronze medal around Emerson’s neck, she promised that she would keep an eye out for him at Brisbane in 2032.

We look forward to Christie’s upcoming commentating role at the Para-athletics in Paris 2024.

Today, our community wore green and gold to show our support for the athletes and the values they represent. Together, our Radford community can make a difference, both in our learning spaces or on the sports field, by championing inclusivity and celebrating the strength in diversity.