19/01/2026
Inclusion Carnival 2025
Celebrating International Day of People with Disability
What happens when you ask students what inclusion really means to them?
In late 2025, with support from Developmental Disability Western Australia (DDWA), we set out to answer that question—and the result was our very first Inclusion Carnival, held in celebration of International Day of People with Disability.
Because when people feel included, they thrive.
Student-Led from the Start
The carnival didn't begin on event day. It began weeks earlier, when we invited students across the school to share their ideas and opinions. What did inclusion mean to them? What did they want to see?
Giving students a genuine voice in decisions that affect them isn't just good practice—it's foundational to their sense of belonging, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.
A Day for Everyone
On carnival day, we opened our gates to parents, caregivers, and the wider school community. The atmosphere was one of togetherness—families connecting, neighbours meeting, and students proudly sharing what they'd helped create.
Activities were designed to nurture the whole child: cognitive, emotional, fine motor, and gross motor development—while sparking curiosity, creativity, and self-expression. Every activity invited participation, not perfection.
Stronger Together
None of this would have been possible without our village. Volunteers gave their time generously. Staff engaged in professional learning to deepen their understanding of inclusive practice. Parents and caregivers showed up—not as spectators, but as partners.
This is what community looks like: people coming together to support every child's right to belong.
Just the Beginning
The Inclusion Carnival is more than an event—it's a commitment to building a school culture where wellbeing and belonging sit at the centre of everything we do.
When students shape decisions, they develop agency. When families engage, connections deepen. When communities gather around shared values, everyone benefits.
This is just the start. Come see what's possible.
Credits
Produced by Ethan Clayden Media
Inclusion Festival design by Delyse Clayden Advocacy
Southwell Primary School Principal Naomi Greaves
Supported by Narelle Lemon and She Speaks (funded by Department of Communities, WA Government)
Funding support from Developmental Disability WA
What happens when you ask students what inclusion really means to them?In late 2025, with support from Developmental Disability Western Australia (DDWA), we ...
