Placement Experience: Chanel Nitschke

Going into the SportsUnited placement I honestly had no preconceived ideas or assumptions on what we, as placement students would encounter in the sessions. The first day of starting anything new is daunting however, after being introduced to all the amazing students from Adelaide West Special Education Centre, with their high energy and bubbly smiles radiating through, this feeling quickly vanished.

Although each of the students has a form of health condition or disability, this does not stop them from trying their hardest to engage in the activities which we set them. In our sessions, we aim to create activities which will help the students develop their fine motor skills and communication skills while giving them an opportunity to move their bodies.

Watching the progress of the student’s week after week is extremely rewarding, as you know in yourself that you are having an impact on the lives of the children and it’s benefiting them tremendously. Some sessions are harder than others and, in the moment, it can feel overwhelming. But every little interaction with the students helps in the long run.
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Overall, the joy that comes from seeing the students laugh and participate in the activities is more than worth it and makes the whole experience fulfilling.