Letter from the Editor

The last time you walk through the school gates is a very surreal feeling. I still remember it: walking out after my legal studies exam back in 2009, I felt a bit hollow. The safety net had been lifted- no longer would I be a slave to the bells; forced out of bed like a zombie to catch the 7:50am bus, or lectured about the importance of some old bloke who wrote in tongues, who shaped the English language as we know it and begged for a horse of which he would definitely have overpaid for (any Richard III fans?). 

What did I do with my new found freedom? Went to a friends house, ordered a Pizza and watched season 1 of the OC. Having no alarm scheduled for school the next day: I was free. The next morning however, I woke, at 7:10am. I lay in bed and heard the 7:50am roll by - partially feeling guilty that I wasn't on it. Things felt similar, but at the same time, wildly different. This did however, begin what I refer to as the 'longest summer.'

My plan was to study at University, but I was going to defer that and head overseas on a gap year which kicked off in March so I had nothing but time on my hands. Countless hours were then spent at the cricket club, going early and setting up, and leaving late after sticking around for a bite to eat and tall stories of how we'd all been robbed of a hundred the week prior. December came around, and I found myself spending days upon days at the beach. Wake up, cook breakfast and lunch for the day, off to the beach and set up for the day. Rinse and Repeat. When the money got tight, head back to town, pick up a few shifts at work, and then escape back to the beach. It was clear to me that this is what adulting looked like.

Whilst the vast majority of our year 12 student embark on their end of year exams: I can't help but feel a bit jealous, proud and excited for their journey ahead. I was so touched when I was asked to speak at their final assembly: A day that will stay with them for the rest of their life. A small excerpt of my speech is below:

In the future; don’t be strangers. Don’t look away as you’re waiting for the 7:36am train from Ringwood station on your way to your corporate office job in the Melbourne CBD. When you see those people, smile and wave. Have that conversation, reminisce on the good times. Laugh at the memories you’ve forged during your time at Heathmont College and plan to reconnect with each other in the near future.

Sure the stress of exams is incredibly challenging: but the upcoming longest summer they have to look forward to, for me, was one of the greatest times in my life. So departing class of 2025, good luck, go well, be safe and don't forget us when you're famous.

Jack Lynch

Editor