Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning 

In several weeks, students at The Hamilton and Alexandra College will sit End of Year Examinations. We want to support our students to consolidate their skills and finish the 2021 year with confidence. In the next week, students will have the chance to discuss with their subject teachers what is required for the exams and how to best prepare for them. In Mentor time, students will discuss study skills and different approaches to revision. Please be on the lookout for additional information about the examination period in the next newsletter.

Susan Bradbeer

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

This week, our Teaching and Learning focus turns to Humanities, and in particular the popular subject of Business Management and Commerce.

For the second year running, it has been a strange and frustrating year for the Commerce faculty. The staple of practical learning through students running their own business, or inviting local business members into the classroom, have been very rare. Thankfully providing the Year 8/9 Business Management group with $50,000 of virtual money to spend on the ASX proved an easily transferable online activity. Special mention to Lachlan Veale and Jake Tonissen, who at one point managed to be in the top 50 players in the state.

What has been a blessing, has been the wealth of real-world examples that the various year levels have been able to draw upon throughout the year. A large part of the Year 12 course is providing a case study from the previous four years to apply to their theoretical knowledge. 2020/2021 has thrown up a variety of different economic barriers and challenges for local and national businesses to negotiate. Whether it be trade tariffs with China; cafes, restaurants and retail shifting their operations to online or to click and collect; or negotiating barriers to trade such as delayed lack of or the increased shipping supply of imports. All have given real-world and relevant perspectives for our students to understand how their learning can be applied to the wider events of the world.

Fingers crossed, the next school year allows the normal resumption of learning and engagement in activities that allow students an opportunity to experience the risk and reward of operating their own business. 

Jarran Cook

In addition to this report, I would like to acknowledge the investment that Mr. Jarran Cook has made in his students during his time at College.  He has made himself available to his senior students, to guide them through the course and to steer them to success in their exams.  He has been creative in the planning of his classes, thoughtful in his approach to each student, and has always been keen to get the best from each young person in his classes and his Mentor group. Our Humanities team will miss his dedication, practical approach, and great humour, and we wish him all the best in his new teaching role in Warrnambool.

Jody Ogle

Head of Humanities