The heartbreaking guilt and reality of losing a student to suicide

Jessica Lyons

By Jessica Lyons
Community contribution / April 17, 2023

As a teacher with many years of experience, I have seen my fair share of tragedies and heartbreaks, but nothing could have prepared me for the news that one of my students had committed suicide today. It is a loss that will forever be etched in my heart and soul.

I have always been an advocate for open communication about mental health. I have stressed to my students the importance ...

Instrumental Music Tutor

Hume Anglican Grammar Craigieburn VIC

Seeking a passionate, highly organised Instrumental Music Tutor to join our rapidly growing, successful, independent multi-campus school.

Tutors / Coaching / Aug 12, 2026

Primary School Assistant

Hume Anglican Grammar Craigieburn VIC

Join a leading, fast-growing school and play a key role in supporting students, families and staff as a Primary School Assistant

Non Teaching Positions/Roles / Aug 12, 2026

Humanities Teacher

Fintona Girls' School Balwyn VIC

A 2027 opportunity for an experienced Humanities teacher seeking curious and engaged learners

Teaching - Secondary / Aug 12, 2026

By Jessica Lyons

Community

My name is Jess; during my day, I wear several hats. I am a mother, above all, a high school English teacher, a freelance writer, a copious elocutionist of sarcasm, and- according to my students- just a tad extra. My passion for language and storytelling has always been a driving force in my life, and my experience in the classroom gave me a unique perspective on how to communicate ideas effectively.

Similar news

School news / Suicide bomber in school uniform kills 47 School news / Level of uni assaults 'heartbreaking': NUS School news / NSW: Bullied student's suicide sparks changes

Latest comments

Wow, seriously amazing how out of touch these people are who create these groups. We have so much information in fron...

— Dean Gowing on Suspend The Use Of Ai And 1:1 Devices In Schools: Teachers, Parents Launch New Petition

Top events

School news / ‘Clearly exploitative’: control tactics, abuse ‘rife’ at church private school

Former students and church members have detailed disturbing claims of financial, psychological and social control at a religious private school.

School news / Inquiry learns violent, gory online content works as a youth extremist pathway

Misanthropic, violent and gory materials are helping shape a complex form of nihilistic youth extremism being examined at a royal commission.

School news / Assess their thinking: AI changes what counts as evidence of learning, leading teacher says

How can we decide what counts as evidence of student learning in the AI age when knowledge can be instantly produced, anywhere, anytime?

School news / Deal sweetener: signing bonus dangled in front of teachers as third strike looms

Public school teachers in Victoria are in line for a one-off bonus under the State Government’s latest pay and conditions offer designed to head off a third statewide strike.

School news / ‘Not enough’: Minister wants school bullying training included in ITE courses

Preservice teachers could soon have to undergo significant anti-bulling intervention training as part of their degree, the federal education minister has indicated.

School news / Keeping up with smart glasses: how the tech could affect your school

The growing popularity of smart glasses, and the concerning emergence of budget options, is raising questions about whether Australian laws and communities are prepared for the widespread adoption of the technology.

School news / Sweltering summers and heatwaves linked to poorer mental health in kids: new research

As record-breaking heat grips communities worldwide and Australia prepares for an intense El Niño summer, new research provides the first global review linking high temperatures and heatwaves to poorer mental health in children and young people.

Opinion / More mandates are not the answer to stagnating NAPLAN results: opinion

Every August, the same ritual plays out. NAPLAN results are released, and within hours the negative stories emerge.

School news / Our big challenge is learning how to use AI without outsourcing our own thinking

As governments and technology companies here and overseas move to rebuild public trust in artificial intelligence through new regulation and transparency measures, one educational neuroscientist says they’re addressing only half the problem.

School news / Essential and free for schools: practical financial literacy workshops are changing lives

A report last year confirmed what many economists and finance experts have long feared: Australia has failed to build strong foundations in financial literacy across the generations, and it should set off alarm bells across the nation.

Comments