Heathmont Gazette – Issue 1
Friday, 6 February 2026
Principal’s report
I am writing my first principal’s report for the year from the car park of our Year 7 Transition Camp. Why the car park? Well, it is the final night of the camp, and our intrepid Year 7 cohort have now had two full days of fun, adventure and social interaction and are, quite understandably, very tired. Some, however, don’t yet seem to be fully aware of just how tired they are, and so are needing a little extra support to help their nervous systems settle in a way that encourages sleep. We will get there soon though — it has been a very big day.
It feels like a fitting way to cap off our first full week of 2026. The start of the year is always a little hectic, but it is also rich with possibility. There are new people, new learning, and the excitement that comes from meeting new friends and teachers and beginning a whole new year together.
We began the week with our annual Swimming Carnival, where we saw record numbers of students attending and participating. There was colour, noise, encouragement and genuine joy, with some long-standing records finally being toppled amid enthusiastic house spirit from students and staff alike. I won’t give the result away, as I know Mr Wright will be sharing more about the day later in this edition of the Gazette, but it was a wonderful example of our community coming together.
This year we are delighted to welcome a number of new students and staff to the College. In our teaching staff, we welcome Mr Veith to the Science faculty, Mr Colosimo and Mr Bur to Mathematics, and Ms Robbins to English and Humanities. In our classroom support team, we welcome Therissa and Lalithya. We are also pleased to welcome back members of last year’s graduating cohort — Ms Johnson (Amy) and Ms Dennis (Alivia) — who are supporting our Science programs and Performing Arts production respectively. It is always special to see former students return and continue to contribute to the life of the school.
Spending time at Year 7 camp this week has been a powerful reminder of what sits at the heart of our work. I have seen curiosity as students try new activities for the first time, compassion as they look out for one another, and community forming in small but meaningful moments; sharing meals, encouraging a hesitant peer, or simply sitting together at the end of a long day. These moments may seem ordinary, but they matter deeply. They are the foundations upon which learning, wellbeing and belonging are built.
As we begin the year ahead, I encourage all students, staff and families to hold onto these values. When we approach our days with curiosity, when we act with compassion, and when we choose community, we create a school where people feel safe to learn, to grow, and to be themselves. I am very much looking forward to what we will build together in 2026.
Kerryn Sandford
College Principal
