One of the many positives of being a teacher is to hear of the successes of former students and reflect upon the small contribution that we or our schools may have made to these successes.

Last Saturday Logan Dear, who was our deputy head student and arts captain last year, ran up Sky Tower’s 1103 steps with his two team-mates from Himatangi Beach Volunteer Fire Brigade. Logan’s team raised over $11,000 for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ, including a donation from our MANA Student Group from last Friday’s Mufti Day.

What makes Logan’s achievement all the more remarkable is that he had the added challenge of having had a below-the-knee amputation on one leg when he was a child.

“Because I was in full firefighter kit, nobody else taking part even noticed I did the Challenge with a prosthetic lower leg. The disability hasn’t stopped me from doing anything really throughout my school life and outside of school too.”

Logan joined the Himatangi Beach Brigade 18 months ago, following in the footsteps of his father, who has been a firefighter for 30 years, his older brother Hayden (5 years), and two uncles. The Challenge became personal for Logan because one of the two uncles died of cancer. Firefighters around NZ have now raised over $1.25 million this year for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ, which helps provide support for families living with blood cancer and in their communities.

Logan is the first firefighter trainee with an amputated leg, but he says that he can do everything other trainees do. He is also an exponent of karate, but not so much now as Logan has damaged too many artificial limbs doing karate. This year Logan is studying full-time a Bachelor of Creative Arts degree through UCOL while working three part-time jobs to avoid taking out a student loan.

Manawatū College is proud of you Logan, and all you are achieving through your “can do” attitude. We wish you well in all your future endeavours.

Bruce McIntyre

Principal