News and Events

Student bravery saves a life

Year 12 student Natasha Hoegerl is a true local hero, having recently saved the life of a young woman on Bond Beach.

Natasha and a group of friends were having fun during the summer holidays, when things turned ugly in the water. A young married couple were seen to be in trouble, so Natasha and her friends rushed to their aid, with three boys pulling the young couple from the water.

After seeing the panic among beachgoers and the lack of any other support, Natasha - one of the youngest on the beach - quickly assessed the situation and bravely began to administer CPR on the woman who had been pulled unconscious from the water. 

Fortunately Natasha had gained her CPR training as part of her Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award, which is one of the features of the Year 9 program here at Mentone Girls' Grammar School.

Natasha said that although it had been three years since she first completed her CPR training, it instantly came back to her, and enabled her to continue to perform CPR on the woman for around 15 minutes until the ambulance arrived and paramedics took over.

"I am so lucky to have done my Bronze Medallion and learned CPR. It really is something that stays with you forever and you never know when you might need to put it into action for real! I think every school should make CPR training compulsory. I am just so happy that I was in the right place at the right time and able to help," said Natasha.

Principal Fran Reddan, said that water safety is a major part of the curriculum at Mentone Girls' Grammar.

"Our Year 8 students immerse themselves in our WAVES Foreshore Program and tackle a series of outdoor challenges, in and around the water. Working in conjunction with the Mentone Lifesaving Club, this program takes advantage of our unique beachside location. Students develop water confidence and all-important survival skills, as well as an appreciation of the precious foreshore environment.

"Through the Year 9 Challenge Program, which includes the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, our students expand their water safety and life saving skills. These programs are designed to promote leadership, initiative, personal responsibility, service to the community, interpersonal relationships, communication skills, and a spirit of adventure and discovery. I am very proud to see one of our students show such initiative, lead with action under pressure, and perform such an incredible service to a member of our community," said Principal Reddan.