Smacktalk Community Night Presentation, will take place at Heathmont College on Wednesday 21st of May 2025, 6:30pm – 7:30pm.
Waynes Story:
Tuesday 24 October 2023 was the day our lives changed forever. Our 17-year-old beautiful boy Mac took his life at home. Mac normally got up at 6.30am. At 7am, I knocked on his door and found him. He had taken his own life. The grief, shock, helplessness and self-blame knocked me over physically and mentally.
I asked him regularly if he was ok, he always responded, “I am fine Dad”. He was not fine and if I had the knowledge and skills that I have now, to really listen, the outcome may have been different.
I have now used Mac’s death as a catalyst to do more and we want to educate every person we can reach to simply be a better listener. The research clearly confirms that real learned listening techniques make a world of difference.
The 40-minute SmackTalk session is free of charge. We will come to you, small groups, big groups, sporting clubs, school groups, business groups – we want to ensure we reduce the epidemic and silent killer that is suicide.
In 2023 alone, more than 3200 people took their own lives in Australia. Of those, 801 people died of suicide in Victoria compared to 299 road deaths in the same period in the State. We need to take urgent action to change these devastating numbers.
We miss our beautiful boy and together we will change hearts.
Wayne Holdsworth, Mac’s Dad
SmackTalk | Start a conversation NOW – to help save lives
Selected students will be participating in the School Sport Victoria, Mullum Division, Intermediate Boys Football (Australian Rules) competition. |
Additional event details: Students will travel by bus to the venue We understand that School start time is 9am however due to travelling to venues and arriving on time for the competition we need to leave Heathmont College between 8.50am and 9am Students are required to be at School between 8.30am and 8.40am to ensure they are marked as present and obtain any uniform required for the day and ensure a prompt leaving time. Students are advised to bring lunch and drinks as there is no guarantee that canteen facilities will be available on the day. Please ensure you are prepared for all weather conditions Students may be required to attend period 5 classes, depending on the fixture and time of return to Heathmont College. Students will not be able to use their mobile phone during the day as per school rules and Government regulations. ****LATE CONSENT/PAYMENT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED**** |
Selected students will be participating in the School Sport Victoria, Mullum Division, Intermediate Boys/Mixed Football (Soccer) competition |
Additional event details: Students will travel by bus to the venue We understand that School start time is 9am however due to travelling to venues and arriving on time for the competition we need to leave Heathmont College between 8.50am and 9am Students are required to be at School between 8.30am and 8.40am to ensure they are marked as present and obtain any uniform required for the day and ensure a prompt leaving time. Students are advised to bring lunch and drinks as there is no guarantee that canteen facilities will be available on the day. Please ensure you are prepared for all weather conditions Students may be required to attend period 5 classes, depending on the fixture and time of return to Heathmont College. Students will not be able to use their mobile phone during the day as per school rules and Government regulations. ****LATE CONSENT/PAYMENT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED**** |
Selected students will be participating in the School Sport Victoria, Mullum Division, Intermediate Girls Netball competition. |
Additional event details: Students will travel by bus to the venue We understand that School start time is 9am however due to travelling to venues and arriving on time for the competition we need to leave Heathmont College between 8.50am and 9am Students are required to be at School between 8.30am and 8.40am to ensure they are marked as present and obtain any uniform required for the day and ensure a prompt leaving time. Students are advised to bring lunch and drinks as there is no guarantee that canteen facilities will be available on the day. Please ensure you are prepared for all weather conditions Students may be required to attend period 5 classes, depending on the fixture and time of return to Heathmont College. Students will not be able to use their mobile phone during the day as per school rules and Government regulations. ****LATE CONSENT/PAYMENT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED**** |
Courage to Care is a non-for-profit company that provides free incursions to school students to inform them about the dangers of prejudice, racism and discrimination. This program will align with the Year 10 English lessons where the focus for the Term’s study has been about the Holocaust. Students will participate in workshops over two hours. |
Heathmont College follows the guidelines and health and safety measures recommended to manage the risks associated with Coronavirus (COVID-19). Details can be found via the following link: –https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covidsafe-settings |
Across term 1 students studied the various landscapes present within Victoria. During this excursion students will participate in a range of activities that examine the biodiversity and management of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Students will also complete the 1000 steps walk. Students will be walking from Heathmont College to Heathmont Station and will then catch the train to Upper Ferntree Gully Station and then will make their way to the beginning of the walk. Students will be expected to be wearing full school sport uniform with appropriate sun protection as majority of the excursion will be outside. Students will need to bring a valid myki card, snacks, a drink bottle and pen/pencil, students will be able to purchase food during the excursion. Students will be dismissed from Upper Ferntree Gully station at 2:30pm. |
Heathmont College follows the guidelines and health, and safety measures recommended to manage the risks associated with Coronavirus (COVID-19). Details can be found via the following link: -https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covidsafe-settings |
Dear students and staff.
On Monday 26 of May, this year’s National Reconciliation week began.
National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June. This year’s theme is “Bridging now to next”, a reminder of the ongoing connection between past, present and
future. Throughout the week, there are a few small activities occurring to celebrate at Heathmont.
On Thursday, we will be showing the AFL documentary created to explore Michael Long’s walk to Canberra to fight for Indigenous rights. This will be happening in the HOPE Centre, and students are encouraged to come along and explore the impact Michael Long’s walk had, especially in the Sir Doug Nicholls round recently completed by the AFL.
On Friday, with the help of a number of student helpers, we are going to create a reconciliation wall mural. This will consist of completed colouring sheets and a group activity writing task. Many staff have copies of this mindfulness activity, and some may even use it as a brain break in class.
Thank you for your ongoing support for National Reconciliation week at Heathmont College.
Jack Lynch
Marrung Coordinator
This year, every Monday lunch time in the wellbeing lounge will be Mindfulness Mondays. This is a chance for students to unwind quietly with colouring, drawing and puzzles. The last ten minutes will include a mindfulness meditation to help reset before class.
If you are looking for a quiet place on a Monday lunchtime, join us in the Wellbeing lounge for Mindfulness Mondays.
Therapeutic group for junior students experiencing symptoms of anxiety. The group is designed to get students to explore the concept of anxiety, why we have it, what it is good for and how to manage it when it becomes overwhelming. The group will be facilitated by Yvette Larubina and Mel Yoffa, and will be held in the Wellbeing Space once a week for six weeks. There will be a max of eight students and will run for one period. |
Rainbows club is back again this year in A5 every Tuesday lunch time! All members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies are welcome!
Rainbows club is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students to connect with peers and like-minded people. It is also a chance to find out about any relevant community events and resources.
Join Mel and Yvette every Tuesday lunch time in A5.
