By Mitchell Clarke
Three Year Nine students at Beaconhills College have been recognised for their Personal Best projects, each making a contribution to the local community.
The students began working on their projects at the start of the year, having a semester to plan, produce and present their final products.
Ella Campbell raised over $2000 for prostate cancer research after her father was diagnosed with the disease in November 2018.
“I wanted to have a different mindset thinking about prostate cancer, rather than thinking my dad’s sick and more that I did something to help,“ Ella said.
“I was under the impression that you had to be old to get prostate cancer, so I really wanted people to go and get checked.“
To raise this money, Ella held a trivia night and sold teddy bears with a homemade blue ribbon representing the prostate cancer cause.
“I thought bears were cute and I wanted to incorporate the ribbon in there,“ she said. “I sold the bears for $7 each and donated that money, along with the funds raised from the trivia night.“
She hopes that her project will prompt readers to get checked for the disease.
Jaxon Binns’ project involved him creating a footy jumper for his club, in honour of the Anzac spirit.
“Last year I went to the Dawn Service and I thought it was interesting at how many people fought for our country,“ Jaxon said.
“Because I really love footy and our football club didn’t have a jumper, I decided to show my awareness by making a jumper.“
Jaxon hopes the jumper will be worn by his teammates next year and is looking forward to a special service where the jumper will be given to members of various RSLs.
“Hopefully it’s going to get worn next year,“ he said.
“The President is really happy with it, he wants to wear it, he’s just got to get the all clear from the league.“
Meanwhile, Sophie Howell turned her attention towards helping refugees, making teddy bears to comfort young children.
“It can be scary moving countries to some place you’re not aware of,“ Sophie said.
“I thought these bears could be the kids buddies, if they’re having a hard time, they can cuddle the bears.“
The bears were all donated to the Asylum Seeker Refugee Centre in Dandenong.
Teaming up with her Nan, Sophie made 15 bears from scratch, donating the bears on Thursday 20 June.
“It made me feel really good to know they’ll be going to loved families,“ she said.
“It’s a really good organisation. All up, I was just very proud of my work.“
Beaconhills Head of Year Nine Marcus Roberts said the school received an amazing response to the projects this year.
“The personal best project is an opportunity for students to explore their interests and find something which pushes them outside their comfort zone,“ Mr Roberts said.
“A lot of the projects are quite varied and this year we’ve had things like a vertical garden to a motorbike.
“It’s individual and students are assessed on a portfolio of work throughout the journey.“
Every student that goes through year nine completes the program.
