By Jessica Anstice
Alkira Secondary College in Cranbourne North’s giant chess set was stolen in late February last year, 2017. Since then, the schools Intermediate VCAL students went on a fundraising journey in order to replace the chess set.
During head start 2017 the Intermediate VCAL students started preparing for their new Business Program that is designed to provide students with authentic opportunities to network, gain new knowledge and achieve competency in a range of skills. The program was heavily promoted within the college community, with requests for ‘clients’ for the new businesses.
As part of the VCAL Business Program, students Shama Shakar khan and Baneen Habibi liaised with principal, John Shaw, in the hope of replacing the chess set.
They researched giant chess sets and made recommendations with costings and presented these to Mr Shaw.
They wanted to help Alkira’s community engage in activities that help build a sense of connectedness and community.
The students applied for funding from City of Casey’s Quick Response Grants – addressing all the criteria succinctly and thoroughly but learnt that this grant was no longer made available to schools as of 2018.
Rising to this challenge, Shama and Baneen sought advice from VCAL staff and researched other funding sources.
After considerable negotiations with their work related skills teacher Laura Henderson and VCAL learning domain leader their proposal was successful and they were granted access to the ADVANCE for Schools Program.
They ordered the chess set and liaised with Cushman and Wakefield staff as well as Alkira’s Mr Abraham on how to assemble the set and discuss secure storage ideas.
The giant chess set is currently locked up securely in a cage outside in the Agora alongside the giant chess board.
“Shama and Baneen are preparing for, and looking forward to, further developing this project by learning to play chess and sharing their new skill as well as negotiate, plan, organise and deliver a chess tournament later in the year,” Ms Henderson said.
“These students are to be commended for their perseverance, patience, problem solving and high level communication skills.”
