There has been some action around the college this term and its only getting busier as we approach the end of the school year. Below are just some of the awesome activities that Heatley students have been involved in so far this term.

Inclusive Education

Term 4 has started with some fantastic experiences for our Inclusive Education students, with the begining of the Life Skills Friday adventures program.

The first Life Skills Friday adventure was a free dance workshop with the North Australian Festival of Arts hosted at the Dance North building located on Stanley Street. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to participate in a community event and express themselves through movement. Students were divided into two groups, with the boys practising two routines and proudly performing them for their peers with Ben, Canaan and Conrad leading the way with enthusiasm and Heatley pride. Whilst the boys practiced and preformed, the girls prepared in a nearby space before taking to the floor, and while some were a little shy at first, students like Chelsea and Matilda impressed everyone with their rhythm and confidence. The workshop was not only fun but also culturally meaningful, especially for our First Nations students having time to reconnect with long standing respected community members like Nana Rosa.

The second Life Skills Friday saw our Inclusive Education students head over to City Libraries at Riverway to learn about accessing useful community resources. Students that attended signed up for their very own library card ensuring to carefuly follow the process and provide the necesary and correct personal details to make an account. Once the information was provided students proudly got to sign the back, and left with their very own City Libraries card. This experience was a great opportunity to practise independence and real-world literacy skills. The morning finished off with a refreshing swim at the Riverway lagoon, a well-earned celebration of learning, teamwork, and confidence.

Year 8 Art

The year 8’s who have chosen art as their elective subject are currently working through their unit “Ceramic Hybrids”. They have been learning clay hand-building techniques like pinch pots, rolling slabs and securing pieces with slip. Students have been practicing skills and building their confidence before they begin the final project. Students will create a hybrid animal with its own mythological tale and bring it to life in clay and adding coloured glaze after the initial firing in the kiln. Students have loved working with clay & have been aspirational Heatley Proud Learners in the classroom. We are all looking forward to seeing the results.

Mural Project

The senior Visual Arts in Practice class collaborated with acclaimed wall artist Garth Jankovic in order to produce a large artwork located on D block wall. Students have been working towards this project since the beginning of Term 3 and have put in a commendable effort. Tasked with creating an exciting display that uplifts & inspires the school’s diverse community, students planned, evaluated, communicated and problem solved to prepare for the exciting job of painting and working as a team to tackle the 7 X 3 metre wall.  Garth has been an excellent facilitator and inspiration for the class, guiding them through each step & watching as they had the opportunity to work on the mural piece. Students learnt how to blend, cut, use mini rollers, scale up concept drawings & work safely on ladders. These students should feel very proud of themselves. Although not complete, the mural has already had a big impact on the college, with many commenting on how impressive it is looking. The mural conveys a message about strength through connection and the students arrived at this concept as a group & will graduate knowing they have left this lasting message behind -emboldening everyone at Heatley Secondary College to work together, celebrate diversity and connect with their surroundings.

Career Experience Day

Our annual Career Experience Day was held on October 17, an exciting event that connected students with a wide range of local businesses and industries. Representatives from various fields came along to showcase their skills, share insights, and highlight the job opportunities available to our students.

Because of the incredible support of these businesses, the Career Experience Day proved to be both informative and inspiring. Many students took the opportunity to network, ask questions, and discuss future work experience placements and potential career paths.

Our Year 10 students also participated in “The Panel”, a Q&A session where they could engage directly with industry experts and hear first-hand about their career journeys and real-world experiences.

We’re grateful to all the businesses and volunteers who made the day such a success. If you know of a business that would like to be involved in future Career Experience days, please contact the Wellbeing team at: mpers25@eq.edu.au to register your interest.

Thank you to the following businesses for sharing your knowledge and industry insights:

Ambulance Services , ARC – steel reinforcing products, ARG Airconditioning and Electrical, Australian Defence Force, BESIX WATPAC, Bunnings, Connect N Grow, Civil Safety, CQU, DWATSIPM, Indigenous Allied Health, JBS Meatworks, JCU, Paynter Constructions, Property Council of Australia, QLD Country Credit Union, Queensland Real Estate Training, Queensland Youth Services, Queensland Police Force, Ray White, Seed Foundation, Selectability, Spring Creek Barramundi, Services Australia, Tafe QLD , TAHIS, TAHIS - Youth Shelter, Towards  Better, Townsville Hospital Indigenous Health Services.

JCU continued their career insights for our year 8 students and year 9 students with the SOAR into your Future and Coaching young people for success. The programs focus on self-development, resilience, study skills, subject/pathway planning, emotional intelligence and preparing students for post-school options. JCU has helped many of our students identify career options available for them to consider going into year 10,11,12. We thank JCU for their support and dedication to educating young people on their personal qualities and strengths.

YSC Lead Programs - Building Skills, Confidence and Connections

This term, our Youth Support Coordinator Miss Mel, has continued to deliver a range of wellbeing and leadership programs designed to build students’ social skills, resilience, and confidence. Each program focuses on helping students recognise their own value, strengths, and individuality, supporting them to navigate friendships, relationships and school life with positivity and self-assurance.

Plant Power Program

In Plant Power, students have been hands-on in transforming a bare patch of dirt into a thriving garden space they can be proud of. They’ve learned how to prepare and nourish soil, weed garden beds, and care for their plants—gaining practical skills and a deeper understanding of perseverance. Even when things didn’t go to plan, students demonstrated resilience and teamwork, learning that “we reap what we sow” both in the garden and in life. Plant Power: prepping the area and planting and creating beautiful spaces.

Take & Taste Program

Each Wednesday afternoon, the Take and Taste group has been busy in the kitchen, developing their cooking, budgeting, and planning skills. From slicing and dicing to creating sauces from scratch, students have produced impressive meals such as lasagna, chicken schnitzel with mashed potato, and steamed vegetables. Their growing confidence and teamwork have truly shone throug much to Miss Mel’s delight, as they’ve prepared delicious dishes to take home and share with their families.

Year 10 Leadership Program

Our Year 10 students have explored topics such as personal values, role models, and challenging automatic negative thoughts. Each participant has shown determination, self-awareness, and leadership potential - qualities that will serve them well as they move toward their senior years and future pathways. Inspiring Brigther Futures: Highlighting the constant juggling of our own values and helping others.

Shine & Strength Programs

Miss Mel has also been leading the Shine and Strength programs, supporting our Year 9 girls and Year 7 boys to explore their individuality, personal strengths, and positive relationship skills. These programs encourage self-reflection, confidence, and growth, empowering students to build healthy peer connections and take care of their wellbeing. Strength: Meshing their name and what we stand for together to create a personalised number plate – unique identity. Shine: Highlighting Inner Value and Worth

Rethink Program

The Rethink group for Year 9 boys has focused on reflection, respect, and inner strength. Through open discussion and guided activities, students have explored key messages of value, kindness, and resilience, learning how to support one another and approach challenges with a positive mindset. RETHINK program: Isaac from the Rock, works with the year 9 boys group in discovery of own worth and how actions and reactions contribute to everyday outcomes. 

These programs continue throughout this term and each continues to highlight the amazing growth and potential of our students. Thank you to everyone involved for your enthusiasm and effort this term!