Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning

The Hill we Climb – Amanda Gorman

At our Scholars’ Assembly this week we were reminded of the power of words. Old Collegian, Dr Catherine Noske, encouraged us to see how words are important to all of us. Words communicate meaning. We know that words create emotion, words persuade, exhort and uplift; words harm and heal. 

National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, spoke at the Presidential Inauguration in the US. Her poem, 'The Hill we Climb' was finished the night after pro-Trump rioters sieged the Capitol building last month. Some of you may have seen and read about the chaos of that event. Gorman said: “In my poem, I’m not going to in any way gloss over what we’ve seen over the past few weeks and, dare I say, the past few years. But what I really aspire to do in the poem is to be able to use my words to envision a way in which our country can still come together and can still heal.”

In my address at the Scholars’ Assembly, I invited College students and their parents to think about the learning journey like a hill. Some hills will appear steeper and rockier than others, but I emphasized that we climb the hill together. Our expectations are high here at The Hamilton and Alexandra College. We want everyone to make it to the top of the hill, to learn and progress but how we do this might look different for each student.

The partnership between students, teachers and parents is the foundation of the learning success here at College. This year we have made provision for more opportunities for Student, Parent and Teacher interviews. We continue to report on student progress each term and offer specific learning advice to our students.   Whilst these interviews are an integral part of providing you, the parent with feedback about your child’s learning, we would encourage you to reach out at any time if you would like to discuss your child’s learning.

Amanda Gorman finishes her poem with these words:

For there is always light,

if only we're brave enough to see it.

If only we're brave enough to be it.

There is a way to climb the ‘hill’, to finish your learning journey well - we want you to be brave enough to see it and be it.

Mrs Susan Bradbeer

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning