Junior School
Stephen Nelson, Head of Junior School

Junior School
Stephen Nelson, Head of Junior School
This is our third year of a new booklist system for the Junior School. Our focus has been to reduce costs for our parents, condense textbook use, decrease our carbon footprint, and lessen stationery waste. Year-level booklist costs will be added to Term One accounts. Costs include all stationery needs, a small number of textbooks, and online subscriptions, including Mathletics, Reading Eggs, and Maths Seeds. Thank you to Mrs Povey for all her work in this space.
Auditions have been completed and the cast selected for the Junior School’s second musical, ‘Disney’s Dare to Dream!’ Well done to all 32 students who auditioned. They can be very proud of their efforts. Congratulations to the successful 15 lead cast members. Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays, with alternating recess and lunch sessions with Ms Bolton and Ms Lanman. In Term Two, there will be several after-school rehearsals with Mrs Price and Mrs Christie.
Week 1 - 22 April (3.30 pm to 5.00 pm)
Week 5 - 20 May (3.30 pm to 5.00 pm)
Week 8 - 10 June (3.30 pm to 5.00 pm)
Week 10 - 24 June (3.30 pm to 5.00 pm)
NAPLAN testing was completed this week for our Year 3 and Year 5 students. All students are to be commended for their efforts and the way they sat the tests. Thank you to Mr Mitchell Clode, Mrs Milich and Mrs Bell for their work in administering the Writing, Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy assessments. Results should be available to parents in mid to late Term Three.
In 2025, the Junior School SRC looked to make some links with overseas schools. and we corresponded with Clifton Terrace Public School in New Zealand. This year, the SRC have made contact with a school in Alberta, Canada - Ẻcole Jasper Elementary School. We are in the process of making a short video about The Hamilton and Alexandra College Junior School. We will also include some questions the students have about Ẻcole Jasper Elementary School. Their principal is Ms Koss. Here is her welcome message from the school website.
Welcome to École Jasper Elementary School – a place where every child is valued, supported and inspired to grow! In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, in the National Park of Jasper, we are a special and unique school community. We believe that learning should be joyful, meaningful and rooted in kindness, and sprinkled with learning in and about the great outdoors. Each day, our dedicated team of teachers and staff work hard to create a safe and welcoming environment where students feel a true sense of belonging and are encouraged to dream big, work hard and be kind.
2026 junior teams have been finalised, and information outlining the season will be sent out to families in the coming days. Training days and playing times have been confirmed.
Under 10s will train on Thursday afternoons, from 3.30 to 4.30pm at the Senior School. Matches will be played on Saturday at Pedrina Park at either 12.00pm or 1.00pm.
Under 13s will train on Wednesday afternoons, from 3.30 to 4.30pm at the Senior School. Matches will be on Saturday at Pedrina Park at either 2.00pm or 3.30pm.
A reminder that Doug Cameron is running academy training sessions on Wednesday afternoons at Pedrina Park from 4.30 to 5.30 pm. These sessions are designed as trials for players wishing to represent Hamilton Hockey in the Country Week Championships in Melbourne on 16 & 17 May.
Learmonth House will be running a bake sale fundraiser on the final day of term, Thursday 2 April. They will be raising money for Rural Aid.
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. Across the country, we provide practical, timely and meaningful assistance through a team of passionate, committed professionals who understand the unique pressures of rural life.
Life on the land is shaped by ongoing challenges, droughts, fires, floods and the daily pressures of farming and rural life. We’re on farm and in communities, ready to support when it matters most, helping farmers and their families stay on the land, protect their livelihoods and remain connected to their communities.
Through disaster assistance, community development and mental health programs, Rural Aid works alongside supporters, partners and volunteers to deliver practical support that helps farmers, their families and rural communities become stronger, more connected and hopeful for the future.
In line with our updated Food Provision at College Events policy, all items on sale at the Learmonth House Bake Sale must not contain overly high levels of salt, sugar, artificial colours or artificial flavours.
Link to Policy: Food Provision at College Events Policy