A season of celebration and commitment

As we move into the final weeks of Term 4, there is a special energy across the school as our senior students complete their classes and prepare for exams or their next steps beyond school. This is a significant milestone in the life of any young person, and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate our Year 12 students on all that they have achieved.

The end of school is not simply about results — it’s about the growth, friendships, and experiences that have shaped each student along the way. This year’s graduating class has shown such warmth, inclusion, and a genuine sense of fun. They have supported one another and contributed in so many positive ways to our school community. We are very proud of the people they have become.

To the families of our senior students, thank you for the encouragement, care, and belief you have provided throughout the years. Your partnership with our teachers has been vital in helping your children reach this point. And to our staff, thank you for the countless hours spent teaching, mentoring, and supporting students, particularly over these final months. The strength of a school community is always found in the combined efforts of its people, and this time of year reminds us just how powerful that collaboration can be.

As our Year 12s prepare for exams and end-of-year celebrations, we wish them every success. We look forward to celebrating with them at Valedictory and to hearing about the many paths they will follow in the years ahead.

This term also marks the implementation of the Department of Education’s new Preventing and Addressing Racism Policy. This policy reinforces a message that we strongly uphold at our college: that every student, staff member, and family has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and that racism in any form has no place in our community. It is a statewide policy that all school are required to adhere to.

Our commitment to this goes beyond compliance — it is about the kind of culture we want to nurture. Over the past year, our staff have been engaged in ongoing professional learning focused on incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, knowledge, and culture into our curriculum and classrooms. This work began with a curriculum day last term, where staff learnt about the history of the local area from Wurrundjeri elder, Murrindindi, and continues through our fortnightly professional learning sessions. It is not a one-off initiative but part of a broader effort to ensure that the stories, contributions, and knowledge of First Nations peoples are meaningfully represented in what and how we teach.

We recognise that this learning benefits everyone. Building understanding and respect strengthens our students’ sense of belonging and helps all of us to see the richness of Australia’s shared history and future. Our expectation is clear: we have zero tolerance for racism. Any incident that is reported will be addressed promptly and in line with departmental policy.

This is not about being political, it is about being human. It is about ensuring that every person who walks through our gates feels safe, valued, and able to be themselves. We ask that all members of our school community join us in upholding this commitment, not just as a policy, but as a shared responsibility to each other. This is what being part of a community is all about.

Alongside this, we have also completed a review of our Bullying Prevention Policy. This process involved consultation with students, staff, and parents, and reflects the importance we place on listening to different perspectives in shaping our approach to wellbeing. The updated policy outlines clear expectations for respectful behaviour, as well as the steps the school will take to prevent and respond to bullying.

Our goal is to ensure that every student feels safe and supported to learn, both in and beyond the classroom. We know that positive relationships are the foundation of effective learning and a healthy school culture. This policy is one way we can continue to strengthen those foundations together.

The updated Bullying Prevention Policy is now available on our website, and we welcome feedback from families. Please contact the college if you would like to share any comments or suggestions.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to build a community grounded in curiosity, compassion, and respect.

Kerryn Sandford

College Principal

Heathmont Gazette

Curiosity, Compassion, Community

Issue 15 · 17 Oct 2025

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