Applied Learning News

Fundraising for Ben Thompson

In a world constantly bombarded by images and stories of famous individuals and success, we discover those who inspire or empower us in everyday life through interactions with other seemingly ordinary people. Thirty-two-year-old Ben Thompson is one such person.  

Living in a shared house in Noble Park, Ben plays footy, enjoys the company of others and has a passion for life. His broad smile and the light that illuminates from his eyes tell little about the long journey he has encountered as a 'one punch' victim, but more about the incredible strength of character he has developed since acquiring a catastrophic brain injury ten years ago. His life as a young, fit roof plumber changed forever with just one blow to his head. 

For those lucky enough to live through such brain trauma, the medical categorisation 'Slow to Recover' is often applied. This term means that enormous effort, determination, and support is required to make small incremental gains. Ben spent months in a coma, almost a year in a hospital, and an Aged Care Facility a considerable distance from his family and friends became his home. 

Over a decade, working with a team of medical professionals and support staff including surgeons, physiotherapists, dietitians, speech therapists and occupational therapists, Ben consistently kept a clear goal in his mind as he has pushed himself to regain simple capabilities we so often take for granted. 

Ten long years on, he can now feed himself, speak softly, and move about through his use of an electric wheelchair.  Technological advances have certainly assisted Ben and others who live life with disabilities to claim back a sense of independence in their communication and mobility. 

When Ben visited the College to join our community at Nazareth Day's Assembly, you could have heard a pin drop as Ben used the power of simple words in his recount, the large audience transfixed to the text on the screen. Despite all the hardship, disappointment and set backs Ben has experienced, he portrayed a message of courage and compassion to all. Here was a young man who chose a path of forgiveness, knowing too well the negative ripple effect this senseless act of violence has had on so many. Ben's belief is that by sharing his story firsthand will empower others to use their 'brain over brawn.' 

A tale of resilience and perseverance, Ben taught Nazarenes far more than that one message. Life presents many challenges but aspiring to achieve your 'personal best' can be the driving force behind acceptance, change, and growth. Living a life of hope, working towards new goals and feeling nurtured by people who care has made such a difference to Ben. 

Eye to Eye with Ben Campaign

Our VCAL students have taken up the challenge to financially assist Ben Thompson a talented player from SCOPE's Southern Balloon Football League to purchase a Permobil F5 Stand Up Wheelchair. This technologically advanced wheelchair is the next step in Ben's recovery regime. It will allow him to stand and move whenever he wishes. As he explained to his captive audience last week, standing for longer of periods of time each day will strengthen his bones and muscles, assist with his lung capacity and breathing, improve his capacity for speech and allow him to use ATMs, shop at counters and improve his social interactions. This six foot three ruckman has spent enough time on the bench and he wants to soar!

Ben has received $20,000 funding through the Slow to Recover Funding, but must raise a similar amount for this expensive purchase. VCAL students have decided on a catch cry 'Eye to Eye with Ben' to promote their fundraising for Ben and acknowledge that they stand beside him all the way. Ben's Go Fund Me webpage has incredible footage of his first trial of the Permobil F5, where he was assessed for its suitability to his current and future needs and expected capability. Check out the following link: 

https://www.gofundme.com/bens-standup-wheelchair

Read Ben's Story and view the video.

This week, VCAL students prepared a Soup Lunch for over 35 staff. The Hearty Vegetable and Roasted Pumpkin, Sweet potato and Carrot Soups received rave reviews on a cold and gloomy day. The support of the Nazareth Community is central to this great cause. A Raffle for $100 of Hoyts Movie Tickets has proven popular with students and staff who are obviously looking forward to some down time in the forthcoming school holidays. At $1 a ticket or 5 tickets for $4, the winner will be a grinner!

All Pastoral Groups have been offered an opportunity to join in the Eye to Eye with Ben Campaign, with a Two Course Lunch cooked and served by the VCAL staff and students the prize for the highest fundraising group. We ask that all students listen out for 'Eye to Eye with Ben' fundraising ahead. Families wishing to support Ben directly from his Go Fund Me Page are asked to please mention Nazareth in your Comment to Ben so he knows his visit has had an impact on our community. 

Ms Caitlin Mackay

VCAL Co-ordinator

Year 10 LEAP: International Garden

During the last week of Term 2 and majority of Term 3, the Year 10 Leap class decided to create a multicultural garden with the money that we had raised from the car wash we completed in Term 1. The total cost of the garden was $750, we used $400 from the money we had raised in the term 1 car wash and the school contributed another $350. We bought weed matting, pegs, weed killer, 4 bamboo screens, 6 plants including Japanese maples and baby bonsais and 2 cubic metres of black bark. 

• Stage 1: We used the VCAL and Maintenance equipment to clear all the weeds. It took us around 3 lessons to get rid of the weeds as the weeds were as high as the fence.
• Stage 2: With the help of the Maintenance Staff we erected and aligned the 4 bamboo screens.
• Stage 3: We sprayed the soil with weed killer and in doing so we leveled the garden bed by raking and adding soil. We placed the weed matting over the top of the soil and secured it with pegs.
• Stage 4: We used a measuring tape to measure the equal distance between each plant. Then we planted the 6 trees carefully in formation with the three Japanese maples being the centre point.
• Stage 5: We used to two wheelbarrows to transport the black bark to the garden. While doing so we were raking the black bark and spreading it out evenly. After about 7-8 weeks the International Garden was completed. Watering has continued, since the completion of the project.

Overall our experience in completing this garden was difficult at times as the weather wasn’t always kind to us. Torrential rain interrupted our project a number of times. In the end it was enjoyable to work as a team to accomplish our mission. We were all competent at certain tasks and had different skills in gardening hence why we worked so well as a team.

The Year 10 LEAP Students:

Renee Aboujaber, Bianca Caswell, Jayden El-Nahri, Jordan Fama, Brodie Gravell, Andre Gulo, Caitlin Howe, Holly Kurtbegovi, Darrian Nguyen, Spencer Wieclaw and Josh Varga.

Mr Jason Kam

LEAP Teacher