Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning

Being connected was the theme at our weekly Senior School Assembly. The research tells us that positive, trusted relationships make an enormous difference to how we lead, how we teach and how we learn. As a teacher it is my role to invest time in knowing my student, their skills, interests, and abilities and being able to manage our curriculum to maximise student learning and engagement. Our vision here at College is to ensure that each student grows and develops the skills that will set them up for a confident future.

During the assembly we heard from several students and teachers who are passionate about their subject and we also celebrated some achievements of our LOTE students. An important part of building connections is celebrating local and global partnerships. Students who study a Language other than English at The Hamilton and Alexandra College are positioning themselves to access exciting opportunities of further work and study. We congratulate Yong An Ly, Pak Hei Lee, Michael Crowle on their ALC Chinese Additional Certificate 3 and Yong Soeung Ly, Jordy Brown, Angus Dohle and Madeleine Green on the their ALC Chinese Additional Certificate 2.

This week we have a focus on revision in the classroom as we prepare for Examinations in Week 7. Parents of students in Years 7-10 are reminded that REACH tests in English, Maths and Science have been incorporated into the program. The REACH infographic has been attached for your interest.

Susan Bradbeer

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Assembly – Delivered by Head of English

Over recent weeks, the Year 12 English classes have been focusing on responding analytically to texts. This involves developing an understanding of the big ideas and concerns intexts and how they are conveyed by authors. Our focus has been on the poetry of William Wordsworth - I know many of you, particularly the Year 9s, have been working with poems this term, developing an appreciation of language, form and ideas - just like the Year 12s.

Wordsworth is perhaps the most famous English poet to have lived; his writing fundamentally changed literature by adopting new styles and through challenging many views maintained by his society. He was passionate about the ordinary person, the imagination and social equity but, most importantly, about the power of nature to inspire us, to instil awe, to comfort us, to challenge us and to prompt understanding of ourselves and others.

Year 12 students, Mitzi Adamson, Nina Pern, Euan Sutherland and Milo Cooper, will read one of Wordsworth’s most famous poems ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’, more commonly known as ‘Daffodils’. It’s all about amazing moments in nature and how our memories of the awesome moments in the natural world can be sources of comfort and inspiration throughout life.

Given the theme of Education Week is ‘connections’, Wordsworth’s writing offers a timely reminder of the value connections with the natural world can offer, especially when times are challenging.

Belinda Nichols

Head of English