There was something for everybody at Kalinda School on Monday when they celebrated International Day for People with Disabilities.
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It was a colourful day at the school, where students came proudly dressed in the colours that represent their disability.
Students came emblazoned in purple to represent epilepsy, orange for Prader-Willi Syndrome, and every colour of the rainbow for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
There were sensory tables, face painting, sandcastles, and a dance floor run by student turned DJ Matthew Montalto, who seemed to have a thing for One Direction.
Teachers let loose on the dancefloor with students, family, and members of the community who came to join in on the fun.
The event pulled in visitors from all around town, including Yoogali Public, Griffith Public, Wade High, Marian College, Kirinari, and Griffith Post School Options.
It was the first event of its kind in Kalinda’s history, but school principal Angela Sampson said it was so fun that she wanted to do it every year.
“It’s such a great chance to celebrate the diverse disabilities we have within our school and in Griffith,” Ms Sampson said.
Ms Sampson was one of the people who was partying the hardest alongside her students.
She was joined on the dancefloor by NSW Department of Education director David Lamb, whose dancing skills left a little to be desired.
Mr Lamb said it was a fun day for all, and that he was always impressed by the school’s ability to combine learning and fun.
“What Kalinda does really well is the balance between life skills and academia,” Mr Lamb said.
“The school has a dedicated team of staff and family members who are able to work together as a team for their children.”
Mr Lamb has visited Kalinda many times, and he said that every time he was blown away by the colorful array of activities the school manages to think up.
“These students, regardless of disability, get to do some of the most amazing things,” he said.