HEATHMONT COLLEGE

The college is situated in the leafy, outer-eastern suburb of Heathmont. The Year 7 intake comes from many of the surrounding primary schools, both close by and from the corridor to the Dandenongs. Heathmont prides itself on its capacity to meet the wide range of learning needs of its students. Its mission is to develop proud, confident and responsible citizens who continually rise to the challenge of learning. The Years 7 and 8 sub-school is organised around the learning circle model, with teachers and a co-ordinator assigned to groups of students, to deal more effectively with their intellectual, social and emotional development. The emphasis is on providing suitable challenges to all students. At Years 9 and 10, there is an increase in the choice of studies undertaken. A primary focus is for students to improve in their capacity for both independent and interdependent learning. In VCE, students have access to a broad curriculum that includes delivery of extensive VET programs as well as traineeships.

Facilities: The college provides specialist areas for technology on both campuses with new arts and technology facilities on the junior campus. Both campuses are well equipped with resource and computer learning centres that provide access to internet and intranet facilities. Ovals and gymnasiums provide venues for physical
and sport education. The senior campus
has a senior student wing. Multi-purpose courts and ovals meet the needs of students on both sites.

Curriculum: Based on the eight curriculum learning areas. The college offers approximately 33 VCE units, including German and Indonesian. A non-compulsory notebook computer program is conducted in Years 7 to 9. A co-ordinated approach to learning support for the range of students complements these studies.

Sport: A house system has recently been introduced to promote a healthy sense of participation and competition amongst students. Sports education supplements health and physical education in Years 7 to 9. The college maintains a high profile in inter-school sport and the success of student participation is celebrated at the annual awards evening. Outdoor education is available from Years 10 to 12.

Extra-curricular activities: Musical instrument tuition, bands, college magazine, debating, drama production, aerobics, skiing and adventure camps, excursions, German sister-school exchange, Indonesian visit, co-ordinated lunchtime activities and Central Australia tour. An extensive leadership program prepares students to be responsible citizens both at school and in the community. A strong student voice is encouraged through the student leadership council and house system.

Student welfare programs: Heathmont’s vision for its students includes being able to feel safe and happy in their learning environment. Students are encouraged to have a go, take risks, set goals and strive to achieve them. The college welfare and discipline approach is designed to enable students to do this in a spirit of goodwill and co-operation. Student wellbeing co-ordinators are appointed on both campuses, together with teams of sub-school co-ordinators. The junior campus conducts a peer support program while a Supportive Friends program functions on the Senior campus. Student-led mediation is used as an effective strategy. The college has recently introduced an innovative personal development program as a key platform in increasing student self-esteem and the capacity to deal with the challenges of adolescence.