Applied Learning News

Applied Learning Students are true all-rounders

We are VERY proud of our VCAL and LEAP students' involvement in the College Production of Xanadu. 

Tom Leigh played a rock star Tube and then donned a pink toga with wand in hand as Hermes. Julia Turcarolo in the role of Aphrodite the Goddess of Love, along with Phoebe Geralis who performed admirably as Thetis, Goddess of the Sea, had the task of convincing an authoritative God that Sonny Malone and Kira should be allowed to fall in love as mortals. Through his craft, Jordan Fama showed that indeed Zeus could be 'mellow'! The fabulous hits of ELO and Olivia Newton John will never lose their audience appeal.

VCAL Wood Technology painted the Set and Props, including a commitment from Nick, Tom, Daniel and Wang spending full days of work placement with Mr Fitter on Fridays. Margot, Chiara, and Serena showed great creativity in the Make-Up area. Selina and Abigail assisted Parents Association with the Supper, having experience through their VET Hospitality Course. Mr Kam took control of Back Stage, whilst Mrs Murphy, Ms Mackay and Mrs Flodstrom sewed costumes with the most wonderful group of Mums and worked backstage with the VCAL Make-Up Crew. Nick G utilised his VET Media talent to edit promotional clips for the Production. A fabulous effort overall!

Fundraising for a very worthy person

As part of the VCAL Program the Year 11 and 12 VCAL students attend SCOPE Victoria's Balloon Football every Thursday morning. On the Redback Bombers Team, a great player Ben Thompson needs our help to fundraise for a new wheelchair that will allow him to have greater independence. He will be able to stand with the assistance of this state of the art machine which will benefit Ben in many ways: his bones can become stronger, he will gain greater movement, and his breathing and speech will improve. Since introducing Ben to Padua College's Year 12 VCAL class at Balloon Football, they have set a target to raise $5000. We hope to match this amount but we can only achieve this with your support.

As part of our outreach to others in the Nazareth community, we would like everyone to be generous and give to a great cause. Please have a look at Ben's Go Fund Me page (link below) and read up on his story because Ben is such an inspiration to all the VCAL students and we would love to help him in his recovery from a one punch acquired brain injury.

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

Compost Revolution @ Naz

Composting is underway at Nazareth as part of our School Garden partnership with www.compostrevolution.com.au 

After viewing episodes from ABC TV's War on Waste Series, students decided we should take action in the college to reduce our waste. Their efforts to date have involved the upcycling or reuse of unwanted furniture and garden items, the purchase of a Bokashi Bin for our kitchen, a mini compost bin for within the garden beds and a Rotating 130 litre Compost Bin.

Through negotiations with the Food Technology Department and Cafe Naz, we have them on board to help with our efforts. Caddies have been ordered so that all food scraps in the school can be diverted from general waste to the compost bins. These initiatives will also enrich our gardens' soil and boost new crops.

We are also in negotiation with City of Greater Dandenong Council to join the Compost Revolution by offering residents discounted stock like neighbouring councils in Knox and Monash. Site wide on https://www.compost revolution.com.au  there are discounts for all of metropolitan Melbourne, so before Spring arrives, peruse their stock and change your family's waste habits and disposal. If making a purchase, please insert Coupon Code NAZARETH at the checkout. This, in turn,

will see $5 per purchase donated back to the college for our garden projects. We CAN all make a difference in caring for our environment.

The above mentioned projects complement the College's Computer Ink Cartridge Collection via the Library and the House Competition to collect bathroom product containers for Terracycle. The first collection of beauty products has been sent off to Terracycle and the House Tally is pictured below. Well done to Chisholm!

Ms Caitlin Mackay

VCAL Co-ordinator