Site visit for Building Regula...
Our NZ Certificate in Building Regulatory Environment (BRE) in-class stream of students had the opportunity to see their learning...
Being hearing-impaired is no barrier to success for Murray Blondell.
The unassuming English, Maths and Digital Skills student is a Special Olympics gold medalist in gymnastics. He won a gold in the parallel bars, three silvers in the rings and three bronze medals for the full exercise event of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in the United States. Murray warded off fierce competition to take home the medals for New Zealand in 1995. “You have to be strong to do the rings,” he says. “It takes technique.” His success stemmed from a desire “to do my best to win for my country.”
The 45-year-old, whose father is a Special Olympics coach, first took up sports to improve his skills and to make new friends. It all started when he was eight years old, growing up in Invercargill. He won about 50 medals in athletics, track and field events, and long-distance running. “I started learning soccer as well and won a first and second.” At 13, Murray added gymnastics to his training regime. He took gold in the Special Olympics just five years later.
Now retired from sports due to the cost involved, he is focusing his energy on studying at our Manukau campus and expects to graduate soon. “I was studying Health and Wellbeing Level 2 but decided to go to Lesley’s class to improve my English, Digital Skills and Maths,” he says. “Once I improve, I will go upstairs to finish the health programme.” Murray is enjoying learning to type on the computer and check his spelling.
