Middle Years 

Let’s do our best in 2022

Welcome to the start of the 2022 school year. It has been great to welcome students back this week for the Year 7 and 8 Orientation programs and the Year 9 Grampians Retreat. A particularly warm welcome to our Year 7 students and those new to Year 8 and 9 at College. I do hope that you all had a relaxing and enjoyable summer break and have enjoyed the first week of school in this, the College’s Sesquicentennial year.

The Year 7 and 8 Orientation Programs have been a great success. I hope that this gave the Year 7s a positive introduction to their year level and class group, as well as helped them settle into the Senior School. The Year 8s focused on working together in their House groups as well as getting organised and ready for a successful academic year.   

Our role is to support our Year 7 students, and new students across all year levels to settle in, find their feet, make new friends, and get to know their routines and their teachers. Transition is an important phase, that cannot be rushed and is a different journey for everyone. 

This week, I outlined my vision for the Middle Years Students: for them to do their best and be their best in all that they do here at The Hamilton and Alexandra College. 

I’m always amazed by and very proud of our Middle Years students, but by giving their best in all of their endeavours and being their best self, both in and out of the classroom, I know our students will be even more impressive learners and members of our community. 

Finally, with the unknown of what the 2022 school year may bring, I encourage students to be flexible, be enthusiastic, show resilience when faced with challenges, and whenever possible find the fun in all that is thrown their way.

Good luck and I trust that 2022 is a successful year for each and every MYPEC student. I am always available if you have any questions or feedback. 

Mr Ben Hawthorne

Head of Middle Years