Living Our Values Every Day: The Heart of Our College Community

Last week in assembly, I had the privilege of sharing with our students what makes our school truly exceptional. It's not just our academic achievements or sporting victories that define us – it's the countless moments of kindness, respect, and genuine care that happen both within our walls and beyond them.

The ripple effect of kindness

Our College values of optimism, respect, compassion, resilience and gratitude aren't just words displayed on our walls; they're living principles that our students embody every single day. This term, I've witnessed extraordinary examples of these values in action, often when students had no idea they were being observed.

Moments that define us

There's the Year 11 student who, returning from a Drama trip, noticed a stranger in McDonald's who had spilled her coffee. While others walked by, our student stopped to help. The lady was so moved by this unexpected kindness that she took the time to contact our school. This wasn't about recognition – it was simply about seeing someone in need and responding with compassion.

During my recent travels in Central Australia, I encountered a German tourist who was genuinely overwhelmed by the courtesy of our Year 10 students. Each one had greeted her with a warm "Good morning, how are you?" – a simple gesture that left a lasting impression on someone thousands of kilometres from home. These students didn't know they were representing our school; they were simply being themselves, and that speaks volumes about our culture.

The quiet heroes

Some of our most powerful examples of living our values happen in the quietest moments. I've observed students who, without any prompting, pick up rubbish that isn't theirs. I've seen peers supporting struggling classmates, offering help and encouragement when it matters most. I've witnessed students thanking their teachers at the end of lessons – a small act of gratitude that brightens everyone's day.

On our sporting fields, I've watched a hockey player stop mid-game to assist an injured opponent, then check on their wellbeing after the final whistle. I've seen students volunteer to umpire matches and coach younger players, giving their time and energy to support our broader community.

Building something special together

These moments – whether witnessed by many or by none at all – are what make our school truly great. They demonstrate that our students understand something fundamental: we have the power to make each day better for those around us, and in doing so, we create a community where everyone can thrive.

Optimism shows in how our students approach challenges and see possibilities in every situation. Respect manifests in how they treat everyone they encounter, from close friends to complete strangers. Gratitude appears in their appreciation for opportunities, their teachers, and their community.

A school to be proud of

This is the type of school I'm proud to work in – not because we tell students to be kind, respectful, and grateful, but because they choose to embody these values naturally. They understand that true character isn't displayed when everyone's watching; it's revealed in the choices we make when we think no one is looking.

To our students: thank you for showing us every day what it means to be part of something special. To our families: thank you for raising young people who make kindness their default setting. To our staff: thank you for modelling the values that help our students flourish.

Together, we're not just building academic success – we're nurturing human beings who will make the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time.

Wellbeing - high levels of illness

Dear Families,

We're currently experiencing higher than usual levels of illness throughout our school community. To help protect everyone's health and wellbeing, we need your cooperation with the following important measures:

Please keep students’ home if they are unwell.

When to Keep Your Child Home:

Please keep your child home if they have:

• Fever (temperature above 37.5°C/99.5°F)

• Persistent cough or difficulty breathing

• Runny nose with thick, colored discharge

• Sore throat with difficulty swallowing

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• General feeling of being unwell or unusually tired

Return to School Guidelines:

Children should remain home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication and are feeling well enough to participate fully in school activities.

Remind students to inform an adult if they’re feeling unwell and to practice good hygiene habits:

Regular hand washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (use your elbow, not your hands)
Avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth

Why this matters now:

The next five weeks are particularly crucial for our senior students as they prepare for their final assessments. By taking these precautions, we can all play our part in keeping our school community healthy and ensuring everyone has the best opportunity to succeed.

Remember, keeping students home when they’re unwell isn't just about optimising their recovery, it's about caring for their peers, teachers and the whole school community.

Our teachers are committed to helping students catch up on any missed work due to illness, so please don't hesitate to contact them for additional support.

Supporting recovery:

Remember that rest is the best medicine. Please ensure your child gets plenty of fluids, sleep, and time to recover fully before returning to school.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community healthy. If we can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Jodie Young and Sarah Bull

School Nurses

Nurse@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au

Student Absences

Parents are to notify the College of student absences through the Parent Access Module (PAM) up until 9:15am on the day of the absence.

When you log into PAM you will see the below Parent Notifies Absence button. Click on the button and follow prompts to complete the notification.

If you are notifying an absence after 9:15am or are unable to access PAM please notify the College via the following ways:

Email: absence@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au

Phone Senior: 03 5572 1355

Phone Junior: 03 5571 1066

If you are notifying the College via email please use the generic absence email address only.

School and Community Information

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