KEEP ALERA AT KARDINIA

Hi,

My names Alera, I was a student at Kardinia International College. The 5th of December 2023 was my last day as they ceased my enrolment due to my Mum struggling to pay the fees.

The last few years have been tough for my family and I. We moved into a rental property that unfortunately suffered a mould issue classing it as not fit for human habitation. We lost all of our belongings and needed to stay in air bnbs as the rental crisis made it difficult for us to find another property.

The impact of the mould caused my Mum to suffer lung issues. This resulted in over 12 months of hospital stays, asthma attacks, ambulance trips and even ICU admissions and code blues. (I actually feared my mum was going to die) The doctors confirmed Mum needed to undergo immunotherapy.

Watching my Mum turn purple while struggling to breath, not being able to walk to the bathroom with no assistance and having to watch people shower her was heartbreaking so i didn’t want to leave her and go back to Perth with my family.

I turned to my friends and teachers at Kardinia International College for support. I believe forming this bond and connection is what helped me strive and remain focused in my education. This allowed me to excel and be accepted into the early VCE biology course.

In not knowing why Mums lungs kept collapsing, I was eager to find out more about treatments for these conditions to eventually be able to help others in these situations. This progressed into a desire to study medicine and have an end goal of becoming a trauma surgeon.

In understanding anxiety and learning challenges i’ve experienced due to ADHD, the idea of having to pick up and move without any familiar supports to a new school is something that is causing a real struggle for me.

Thankfully Mum is better and is only sick on treatment days. As a single Mum she has been able to take on two jobs to try and repay the debt to the school and to pay school fees going forward. However the school is not being flexible towards the debt and desires comfort moving forward that the fees will be paid upfront. I am attempting as a last resort to reach out to all family and friends in hope that we can come together to keep me at kardinia.