By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
EIGHT Year 12 students from P-12 College in Narre Warren South definitely understand what people mean when they say “mind over matter”.
Accompanied by their VCAL teacher Jonothan Vallance, the students walked 48 kilometres from the school to Flinders Street Station last month to raise money for Tyler Fishlock, the blind 11-year old battling recurring cancer.
Mr Vallane said he was extremely proud of the students after they accomplished the challenging walk.
“When we set out I had hesitations because it was such a long way, but these students stepped out of themselves,” he said.
“You see the emotion on their faces, the whole relief and excitement. They were emotional balls.”
The student-led walk was held on 29 July and tested the mental and physical strength of all the students who particpated. Acknowledging the importance of what they were doing, every student completed the walk which Mr Vallance noted was a gargantuan effort.
“A few of them had done training but it still becomes a real psychological battle to persevere through the pain,” he said.
“I told them that this big distance will hurt but to remember what Tyler has been through.”
Mr Vallance said P-12 and the students were already discussing plans for the future.
“The school is talking about making it an annual event,” he said.
“From the whole school’s point of view, it makes you very proud of what the students can do.”
For more information or to contribute to Tyler’s cause, visit www.mycause.com.au/page/walkingfortyler.
