The Hamilton and Alexandra College Newsletter

Junior School

 Stephen Nelson, Head of Junior School

Crazy hair day

As a fundraiser for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, the Junior School will tomorrow host a ‘Crazy Hair Day’. Students are invited to have some fun with colour and themes and come to school with crazy hair. A gold coin donation will help us cover the cost of shipping our shoeboxes, filled with a collection of items for children around the world who are less fortunate than ourselves. Students are asked to wear their sports uniform, as House Sports will take place in the afternoon.

Summer Uniform

Next Monday, 20 October, is the changeover day for all students to wear their summer uniforms. If the mornings are cool, students can wear jumpers or blazers. If boys opt for a blazer, they must wear a school tie. Hats are compulsory for all of Term Four. Students will leave their hats in lockers and pigeonholes at the end of lunch each day. If you are in need of summer uniform items, the Uniform Shop in the Tower building at Senior campus is open on Tuesdays from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, and Thursdays from 12.00 pm to 4.00 pm.

Star Students

The following students were awarded Star Student awards at this week’s Assembly.

 

Piccino

  • Harriet Lee for her fantastic attitude and a real enthusiasm for learning!  She is kind, caring, and helpful to everyone around her. Her positive attitude and willingness to support others make our classroom a happier place. Keep up the wonderful work, Harriet — we’re so proud of you!

     

  • Lawson Brabham - Lawson is really letting his voice shine this term. He brings laughter and joy to our classroom every day, sharing his great sense of humour and bright personality with everyone around him. His positivity makes our class a happier place to learn and grow.

     

Prep - Teddy Tigges for consistent focus in class and achieving high standards in all areas of his work.

 

Year 1 - Matilda Giles for always approaching her learning with a positive attitude and for kindly supporting her classmates in their learning too.  

 

Year 2 - Ted Bufton for the positive attitude he arrives at school with every day and the kindness he shows to his peers. Ted is always willing to help others.

 

Year 3 - Herbie Dyer for showing consistent persistence and effort when attempting to solve Multiplication and Division problems.

 

Year 4

  • George Robertson for his considerate and inclusive approach at camp, ensuring all peers felt supported and involved. George consistently demonstrated teamwork and a genuine willingness to help others.

     

  • Lucy Cameron for her caring nature and leadership at camp, ensuring her peers were looked after and actively assisting with all activities. Lucy’s positivity and support for others were greatly appreciated.

 

Year 5

  • Euan Baulch for his curiosity, interest and eager participation in 1850's life while on camp at Sovereign Hill.

     

  • Tilly Cameron for managing herself well and her enthusiastic participation in classroom lessons while at the Red Hill School at Sovereign Hill.

 

Year 6

  • Matilda Mercer for starting Term Four with a positive attitude, working hard across all subjects, and showing great determination to achieve the goals she set for herself.

     

  • Ed Whinney for consistently applying himself in all subjects, contributing thoughtfully to class discussions, and setting himself up for a focused and successful Term Four.

 

Year 4 - Pen licences

  • James Cochran

  • Fred Hawker

Semester Two: Parent Teacher Interviews

Bookings for Semester Two Parent/Teacher Interviews will close tomorrow afternoon. There are still a few availabilities. 15-minute Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held after school on Tuesday, 21 October and Wednesday, 29 October, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. 

Year 5 Sovereign Hill Camp

Congratulations to our Year 5 students, who successfully travelled back in time to 1854 for the two-day ‘Costume School’ program at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat. The students quickly morphed into inhabitants of the goldfields and excelled in their role play. Many of the visitors to the Sovereign Hill classroom assumed the students were paid actors, fulfilling the role of Red Hill School children of the 1800s. Sammie Price was awarded the Sovereign Hill medallion by the Red Hill School ma’am, for her efforts in the program. Maggie Wallis and Ed MacDougall were offered apprenticeships at Mrs. Jones’ Criterion Store and Mr. Brown’s Confectionary. A big thank you to Mrs. Bell for her encouragement, care and support of the Year 5 students throughout the camp.

Junior School Sport

As we commence our Term Four summer sports, a reminder of the College’s position on playing sports for the school and student absences.  If a child is absent from school for the day due to illness, they are not permitted to train or play sports for College teams that afternoon or evening. I ask all Year 2-6 parents to support this position.

Hockey Shirts

We have a number of College Eagles, Hawks and Falcons hockey playing tops still to be handed in. It would be appreciated if these could be returned to Mrs Povey at the Junior School Reception.

Regional Athletics

Congratulations to the students who represented the Junior School at the recent SSV Regional Athletics Championships in Ballarat. Olive Monk, Tommy Brown, Will Brown and Lachie Sweeney all participated with enthusiasm and determination in very windy and cold conditions in Ballarat. Congratulations to Lachie, who placed fourth in Long Jump. We are very proud of our whole team and thank you for your efforts in Ballarat.

 

Year 5 / 6 Cricket

On Thursday, 30 October, the Year 5 and 6 cohort will participate in the HDSA run Cricket Blast Competition at Pedrina Park. We have entered two girls’ and two boys’ teams. If you are free, able and willing to help coach or score any team on the day, would you please get in touch with me on email: lpatterson14@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au.

Junior School Grandparent’s Day

Junior School term dates were circulated in last week’s College Newsletter. You will have noticed Grandparents’ Day on Friday, 21 November. We opted for this date as it backs onto a weekend and allows plenty of time for families with grandparents who live outside the Hamilton area to make plans and arrange travel. We also had to work around the VCE exams, which conclude on Wednesday, 19 November, and Year 7-11 Semester Two exams, which commence on Monday, 24 November.  

 

This year, grandparents and families will be invited to a Junior School Drama Showcase, with Prep to Year 6 classes each presenting an item on stage at the Simons Auditorium at 2.00pm.  There will be tea and coffee provided for grandparents and parents prior to the performance, from 1.30pm in the MPAC foyer. 

 

On the morning of Friday 21 November, we will also host our annual ‘Blessing of the Pets’ at 9.00 am. Parents and grandparents are warmly invited to also attend this unique College event.