By Jessica Anstice
Narre Warren South P-12 College VCAL students have raised an impressive $20,000 for various causes.
With VCAL commencing in 2006 more than $100,000 has been raised by students – this year seeing $3000 going to a local family of a former student, $2000 to Breast Cancer Research and $15,000 going to Year 12 student Ace Bryans to assist with the purchase of a motorised wheelchair.
Elsie Tafiti attended Narre Warren South P-12 VCAL from 2014 to 2016 where she was known for her quiet nature and bone dry sense of humour.
She disliked numeracy and absolutely loved literacy – her talents driving her to write terrific poetry that showed enormous depth of understanding and empathy for others.
Tragically she was lost in a car accident that left family and friends distraught.
Money raised by this year’s students and donated to her family will be used to erect a headstone in remembrance of her life.
Ace Bryans has been a student at the college since Year 7 and students were particularly delighted in seeing one of their own benefit from their hard work.
Ace suffers severe Dystonia-Neurological Movement Disorder and Neuromuscular Scoliosis as well as metabolic and gastrointestinal difficulties. Put simply – a perfect and brilliant mind but an incomplete and uncontrollable body.
Ace thanked his classmates with a prepared speech delivered by a program that he relies on to communicate and this touching and humorous moment brought tears to many eyes.
Funds were raised by holding a benefit music concert, morning tea barbeques, trivia sessions, sports championships, the fourth annual 48 kilometre walk from P-12 to the city as well as the building and sale of a teardrop caravan by building and construction students.
“It was another amazing effort by amazing students,” VCAL teacher Sharon Phillips said.
“We’re looking forward to 2019.”
