Head of Middle Years Dr Ben Hawthorne was presented with this award by Principal Dr Michael Horne at Speech Day 2025 for his significant contribution and influence over almost two decades of service to the College. Having completed his PhD this year, Ben is a wonderful example of serious and committed academic effort. He is also passionate about outdoor learning experiences and a dedicated hockey coach. Ben has been an outstanding role model to the thousands of young people he has helped to guide through the College.
The Hamilton and Alexandra College acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where our College proudly stands, the Gunditjmara People. We honour Elders past, present and future in recognition of their strength and resilience, we commit to building a brighter future together.
FROM THE
PRINCIPAL
GROWING MOMENTUM
Late last term there was a week in which we received notifications of a series of achievements of four Year 10 students, one coming in after the other. One student had received a significant award from Equestrian Victoria, another was selected as one of just 11 Victorian students to travel to Gallipoli in the September school holidays, through the Premier’s Spirt of ANZAC Prize; a third was crowned state champion in the Australian History Competition; and the fourth was awarded an Endeavour Scholarship to become one of only five Australian students, from a pool of over 600, who will form Mission Team Australia and attend a NASA program in mid-2026.
Coming so quickly one after the other, these pleasing notifications gave a sense of something special building and growing within this particular group of students – a desire to look outwards for opportunities that would stretch themselves beyond school, and a sense of momentum in achieving what they’d aimed for.
These achievements show that our Year 10 cohort is increasingly seeking to involve and challenge themselves in areas that they have come to love. They are choosing to try for something hard and optional, and that is enormously pleasing.
DR MICHAEL HORNE
International service project in Hang Kia Village, Vietnam: Dr Horne with Year 9 students collecting water for making cement for the new village toilet
DEVELOPMENTS
The immediate and obvious question then is, What has led to this shift?
There’s an element of normal and expected maturation. There is perhaps something that they gained from being the first cohort to undertake the new Year 9 Experience program in Vietnam last year – maybe a recognition that they have opportunities and possibilities before them that not everyone is lucky enough to have. I believe there is also something in the fact that these students had observed their friends look over the nearest hill to see what might be there for them and were implicitly encouraged to do the same. Young people seeing their peers seek, apply and succeed is much more powerful than someone like me telling them that they should.
In examples like these four students, we are starting to see a growing momentum at College. There are many other examples like these of students choosing to aim for something challenging and attaining what they’ve aimed at. This pattern of pursuit is helping to cement a culture of ambition and effort, and as it continues over time is starting to garner its own momentum.
… and so the cycle goes and the momentum increases.
In addition to the cultural and academic momentum that I am enjoying seeing at the school at the moment, there are also a variety of more tangible developments. As I write, the Wilma Hearn Arena is tantalisingly close to completion. This full competition-sized undercover arena brings our equestrian facilities to the equal of any school in the country and will be well loved and well used by College riders for many decades to come. The Winter Cooke Garden and landscaping in Middle Years is settling and growing and being well used by our Middle School students. The garden appropriately recognises the long and valued contribution of former Head of Middle Years, Julia Winter Cooke.
And, perhaps most excitingly for me, our vision for the College’s Mirranatwa property has taken a very firm form – both in design and intent.
At a time when young people are craving the licence to develop real, human connections with one another, our new educational facility at Mirranatwa will be our place, at the foot of Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, to disconnect, slow down and reconnect with one another and the natural world.
The architect’s drawings are included in this edition, and I commend the project to your interest. At Mirranatwa, we are not simply seeking to put up a building, but rather to manifest our belief that in the coming technological age, the abilities to think for oneself, to endure problems and difficulty, and to forge human connections will be the currencies of the success. Mirranatwa will provide the place for College students to develop these critical skills.
This edition of The Ivy and the Tower carries many examples of the results of the optimism and ambition currently animating the College
1. Official opening of the Winter Cooke Garden: with Rosemary Merrin (Board Chair) and Julia Winter Cooke (past Head of Middle Years)
2. Official turning of the sod for the Wilma Hearn Arena: with Claire Haydon (Year 7) on her horse, Linda Archer (past Personal Assistant to the Principal), Jason Bourke (Business Manager), Rosemary Merrin (Board Chair) and Don Hearn (donor)
and our students. I hope you will enjoy reading about them and all else that is happening at what will always be your College.
UK VISITS
As much as the College is animated by its own internal engine of effort and optimism, it is always worth visiting other schools to see the best of how they do things. I was fortunate in June and July this year to escape the Hamilton winter to spend a short period of sabbatical leave in a northern summer, and to visit a number of interesting schools in the UK. I visited three of particular interest: Lambrook School, a prep school for students aged 3-13; Harris Westminster, a highly academically selective sixth form school in London, and Trent College, a co-educational day and boarding school in Derbyshire, founded as a ‘middle class alternative’ to the established public schools. These are very different schools with very different approaches, and this difference meant that between the three I gleaned much that will be useful to our College in future. To highlight just the top insight from each and its relevance to our school:
Trent College reaffirmed the importance of a thoughtful and broad pastoral and co-curricular program. The Headmaster, Bill Penty generously took me through the school’s pastoral programs and argued strongly for the benefit he has seen coming from a formal pastoral education program with allocated curriculum time. Here at College our Junior School have this year implemented a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program which aligns closely with Bill’s approach at Trent.
Lambrook School’s Headmaster, Jonathan Perry and I spent about two hours together including discussing the importance of warmth of welcome, especially in a small, regional school. Lambrook does this very well, and it reminded me of the feeling when walking into Myrniong or the Tower building at College.
Harris Westminster provided a lesson for us in the importance of opportunities for students to follow their interests, in addition to
the prescribed curriculum. Most appealing to me was the idea of
an academic ‘hinterland’ – the spaces just beyond the edge of the curriculum where students can step out in the direction of their own particular interests (our four Year 10s being a good example of College students doing just this).
Whilst the context and nature of each of these schools is different from College, and whilst the challenges for the UK independent school sector are distinct from those in Australia, there are important lessons for us.
We must understand and proudly articulate the importance of what we offer beyond the curriculum –warmth of welcome and a deep understanding of each student; pastoral and character education through rich curricular and co-curricular programs; and the value in what lies in the academic hinterland beyond the edges of the prescribed curriculum. These are things that College does well.
A quote being the unoriginal person’s substitute for insight, I’ll end with one:
…the strange privilege of success: the reward for working hard… is that you have the opportunity to work even harder.
James Hanscombe, Executive Principal of Harris Westminster
The current momentum and achievements we’re enjoying at the College are not the end point for us. They simply provide the direction and pattern for further successes and the ongoing development and growth of our wonderful school.
MIRRANATWA
These pages show key images of our planned facility on the College’s 110-acre site at Mirranatwa in the Victoria Valley. After two years of ideating, consultation and design work, the planning permit application for the facility has been submitted to the Southern Grampians Shire Council. In 2026 we will launch a major capital campaign in support of our vision for Mirranatwa. Here, the Chair of the College Board Rosemary Merrin outlines our vision for this unique site. We look forward to sharing more information about how you can contribute.
Dr Michael Horne, Principal
MIRRANATWA
I am hugely excited that we will soon be able to truly capitalise on the extraordinary natural environment that sits right on our doorstep.
Mirranatwa is not intended to be a one-off outdoor experience that students encounter briefly then leave behind. Instead, it will be woven into the experience of our students’ learning from the very beginning – from ELC 3 through to Year 12.
As they grow they will return to this place again and again, each time meeting it with new skills, new questions and increasing capability and confidence. In this way, the landscape becomes part of how we form character, cultivate curiosity and foster a lifelong interest in the world beyond the classroom.
Our hope is that students will come to see Mirranatwa not as somewhere they visited, but as somewhere that shaped them.
Rosemary Merrin, Chair of the College Board
STRENGTHENING OUR INTERNATIONAL MARKET
FOCUS ON RECRUITMENT
SUSIE HOLCOMBE, REGISTRAR
Our international students are a vital part of the College. The international market is very competitive and having a strong working relationship with agents is critical. Our recruitment trips strengthen our relationships with agents and families alike.
We are working to build our international student numbers and interest in the College growing. Prior to the COVID years we had 39 international students. Enrolments have been increasing year-on-year and numbers are strong for 2026.
In 2025, the College has undertaken three international recruitment trips – to China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou), Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia and Taiwan. The prime purpose of these trips is to meet with agents and parents and attend exhibitions. These exhibitions provide the opportunity to not only meet families who are interested in their children undertaking their secondary education overseas, but also to meet agents.
Schools from all over the world seek to recruit international students. Agents are the first point of contact for any prospective family so it’s important that they know our strengths as well as the wide range of academic, co-curricular and support programs and other opportunities that we offer at College.
Past and current overseas parents are also great ambassadors for the school and we are working to reconnect with our past and current international families.
Daniel Li (Year 10) and Will Satchell (Year 10) working together in a Mathematics class
PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
I really like the community here. Everyone is friendly and supportive and there are so many opportunities for study and activities. The staff have been very welcoming. Teachers helped me with learning. Boarding staff and friends guided me and included me. Daniel Li, Year 10
Q&A
PENNY CALLINAN, INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COORDINATOR
Penny provides an important point of connection and support for our international students and their families as they settle into life at College.
Our international students are a wonderful part of the fabric of our school community. They bring a variety of perspectives and experiences and add a richness and diversity to our school. They also bring opportunities for our Australian students to develop empathy and curiosity about language, culture and traditions other than their own.
What makes College special?
Our small size means all our teachers and staff can get to know new students quickly. We provide a very welcoming and supportive environment which features a student buddy system. The breadth of subjects we offer means we can cater to a variety of student interests and our co-curricular programs provide plenty of opportunities for students to try new things and get to know different students. Our relatively small number of international students means that students mix freely with other students both in the Boarding House and during the school day.
What does your role involve?
I spend one night a week in the Boarding House where I check in with all our international students. This is a lovely way for me to connect with the students in their ‘home’ environment after a day at school. I work closely with teaching and Boarding House staff in ensuring our international students are well supported both academically and from a wellbeing perspective. We are always working to enhance our orientation program so that they can settle into school life as quickly as possible and feel confident to join in and make the most of all the opportunities on offer at College.
GEORGINA HODGE, ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL) TEACHER
An experienced and dedicated EAL teacher, Georgina returned to College this year.
The EAL program helps students move beyond simply understanding content to confidently expressing their knowledge, and selves, in English.
How does the EAL program support our international students? It gives them the academic language support needed to thrive across their other subjects. Students build vocabulary specific to each discipline, strengthen their grammar and writing, and learn the skills required for essays, reports and presentations. It helps ensure they can access subject content by providing scaffolding and strategies that make classroom learning clearer and more achievable. This not only supports their learning but also values their experience as multilingual students.
1. Susie Holcombe (Registrar) and Dr Michael Horne (Principal) with Da Di Overseas Studies Service Centre representatives Joan Lee, Florence Shek, Cora So and Carmen Kwan in Hong Kong 2. Penny Callinan (International Student Coordinator) with Celestine Chen (Year 8) and Josie Wong (Year 10) doing a cooking activity as part of the International Student Program 3. Georgina Hodge (EAL teacher) with Daniel Li, Steven Zhu and Prince Wang in an EAL class
BOARDING AT COLLEGE
NURTURING CONFIDENT FUTURES
ANDREW MONK, DIRECTOR OF BOARDING
The Boarding House is a place where your child will feel safe, cared for and supported on their journey to their own confident future.
Today more than ever, I would say students need to be confident within themselves and their future. They need to know that they are able to work with others, contribute meaningfully to society, and lead with compassion. In the Boarding House, they learn how to get along with each other, build strong friendships, organise themselves and build a routine that they are comfortable with. As they become older, they learn how to lead through specific programs, actively engage in service programs and get involved in weekly House competitions and activities.
What makes boarding at College special?
Quite simply, our Boarding House is safe, secure and engaging. Our boarders have staff who are genuinely interested in their life, interests and achievements. Our full-time and weekly boarding options and our weekly travel options to Naracoorte, Port Fairy, Warrnambool and Horsham offer families flexibility and the unique experience where boarders can be truly connected with the College and remain closely connected with family and friends at home. Whether they come from local, interstate and international locations, and regardless of whether they’re in Year 7 or Year 12, our boarders become lifelong friends.
Q&A
HENRY RUSSELL AND HENRIETTA RUSSELL, 2025 BOARDING CAPTAINS
What do you like most about boarding at College?
Henrietta: The tight-knit community, especially within our year 12 group. It’s really comforting knowing your friends are just down the hall and that there’s always someone to talk to. It makes the place feel like more of a second home.
Henry: The support that comes from all of the staff and fellow boarders. Having access to help from my teachers in the Boarding House is great, and I also love relaxing over a movie with my friends on the weekend.
What makes the boarding community at College special?
Henrietta: The atmosphere is very warm and welcoming. We aren’t a large boarding school so it’s very easy to get to know boarders from all year levels. Seeing a familiar friendly face from the Boarding House when we’re at school during the day creates a real sense of belonging when living away from home.
Henry: Something that really stands out to me is how connected we all are and the sense of community across the Boarding House as a whole. The friendly rivalry between Macdonald and Spiers through the House Cup brings out the best in everyone and creates excitement and teamwork.
As Boarding Captains, how do you support a positive environment in the Boarding Houses?
Henrietta: For me, the most important part of my role is leading by example and creating a space where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves. The senior boarders all help keep that energy going by being friendly and approachable and including everyone.
Henry: The most important part of the role for me is helping build on the positive and supportive boarding environment that College is known for. As senior boarders we really enjoy getting out and about and talking to the younger boarders.
NEW LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM FOR
YEAR 11 BOARDERS
Andrew Monk, Director of Boarding
Leadership is integral part of a boarder’s life here and beyond College. This important addition to our overall Boarding program is designed to help students understand their natural leadership strengths and develop the skills they need to lead authentically and effectively, building on the strong foundation that boarders develop living in the Boarding House.
NEW LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM FOR YEAR 7 AND 8 BOARDERS
Lisé Lowe, Houseparent to Year 7/8 girl boarders
The Life Skills program gives our younger boarders a safe space to learn together the basic skills they need for living away from home that will help them grow and gain independence and grow. As well as learning how to care for their belongings and do their own washing, they learn about time management and personal responsibility as well as how to live with and respect others in a shared environment, forge lifelong bonds with their fellow boarders and be valued members of our boarding family.
Gus McCure, Year 7, Speirs House
The Life Skills program teaches me skills and helps me appreciate that not everything is just done for you.
What do you like most about boarding at College?
I’ve made friends with boys I would not have otherwise and I enjoy socialising with boarders from all year levels. Being in the Boarding House allows me to follow a good routine and do things I wouldn’t be able to if I lived at home and I like having allocated time without distractions to complete my homework every night.
1. Gus McCure (Year 7) with Year 11 boarders Alex Hill and Clive Dunstan 2. Boarding House dress up dinner: Henry Russell (2025 Boarding Captain) with Andrew Monk (Director of Boarding) 3. Ringing the dinner bell: Henrietta Russell (2025 Boarding Captain)
MAMMA MIA!
Over 1500 tickets sold
4 performances Orchestra of 5 students and 4 teachers
50 students on stage
A large team of students running backstage, ushering and lighting and sound and assisting with choreography, hair and make-up
Countless staff and parents helping behind the scenes
DIRECTOR ANGELA KENNA, HEAD OF DRAMA
The Musical is a valuable learning experience for our students. Whether they’re on stage, in the band or behind the scenes, it really is an entire team effort and they all play an integral part. It gives our students opportunities to grow in so many ways – they build confidence, teamwork, resilience and creativity, all while developing their performance skills. The Musical offers leadership roles that come with real responsibility across a variety of areas.
Highlight?
Honestly, the audience reaction just blew me away. People were genuinely moved by what they saw.
What do you love most about being Director?
It’s like putting together a massive, complex puzzle where everything has to come together – the set, costumes, lighting, choreography, music, acting, just to name a few. It’s intense, it’s demanding and you’re constantly problem-solving and being creative, and that’s exactly what I love about it.
Q&A
MAE FRASER (YEAR 12) PLAYED SOPHIE AND NATHAN LEE (YEAR 10) PLAYED SKY
Highlights?
Nathan: The energy of performing in front of a full audience and hearing their reactions, and the friendships I made with the cast and crew. I learned how important teamwork is in a production. Everyone has to rely on each other and that trust builds confidence on stage.
Mae: The most memorable part was rehearsing and performing alongside my friends and I also got to know many students from the younger year levels. During both the rehearsals and the performances, I gained a real sense of leadership in setting an example for the younger students and working as a team as we all helped each other manage pre-show anxieties and strategies to move past mistakes during the show.
What do you love most about performing?
Nathan: The thrill of stepping on stage and becoming a character. It’s exciting to tell a story through acting, singing and movement, and the buzz you get when the audience is engaged is like nothing else.
Mae: Stepping into a different personality with a different story to my own has always given me a sense of self-confidence and excitement that I don’t typically possess in everyday life. It allows me to leave my own worries behind for a while and get lost in a character.
1. Donna and the Dynamos: Amelie Hiscock (Year 12) as Tanya, Sarah Crowle (Year 11) as Donna and Isla Reilly (Year 11) as Rosie 2. Ensemble featuring students from Year 7 to 11
3. Nathan Lee (Year 10) as Sky 4. Cairo Cullinane (Year 10) as Sam, Finely Hiscock (Year 10) as Bill and Alex Donovan (Year 11) as Harry 5. Back: Marianna Novikov (Year 10), Grace Haldane (Year 8) and Holly Quinn (Year 11) Front: Henrietta Patterson (Year 7) 6. Mae Fraser (Year 12) as Sophie 7. Nathan Lee (Year 10), Freddy Nagorcka (Year 7), Nic McClure (Year 7), Henry Horne (Year 9) and Isaac Shaw (Year 12)
When we arrived in the village, the beauty of the mountains immediately took your breath away, and the village kids all waved and ran up to us, so excited to have visitors. We all worked together to make a water tank for the village. The work was exhausting but rewarding. This was a trip we will never forget –truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Yvette
Boyle (Year 9)
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE TRIP
YEAR 9 IN VIETNAM
1. Group 2 at Imperial Citadel in Hue: Front row: Hunter Kirkwood, Henry Horne, Abigail Henderson, Ava Balkin 2nd row: Hamish Brown, Sophie Russell, Rubi Thomas, Eve Wear, Phoebe Lazzari 3rd row: Lucas Rouse, Rueben Hayes, Sophie Ryan, Charlotte Alderman, Sophie Nagorcka, Harriet Stacy, Maiah Colliton
Back row: Darcy Clarke, George Nicholls, Hartley Johns, Jaxon Leishman 2. Group 1 in Hang Kia village: Front: Blake Walker and Archie Malseed. Back: Nerrida Prosser, Donna Lee, Georgina McDonald, Elli Kirkpatrick, Yvette Boyle, Isla McClure, Will Cameron, Darcy Potter, Oscar Hawthorne, Lucas Harper, Will Sweeney, George Prosser, Dr Ben Hawthorne, Angela Kenna 3. Henry Horne, Lucas Rouse, Reuben Hayes, Hunter Kirkwood and Hamish Brown enjoying a delicious lunch 4. Lucas Rouse and Sophie Russell dance with children from Hang Kia village
5. Proudly showing off the new village toilet: Oscar Hawthorne and George Prosser 6. Hartley Johns and George Nicholls making concrete with a village builder
EMILY HAUSLER, HEAD OF YEAR 9 EXPERIENCE
These experiences challenge stereotypes and help create thoughtful global citizens who understand that there are many ways to live a good life and that human values cross cultural boundaries.
Over three weeks our students journeyed from the vibrant streets of Hanoi to the peaceful village of Hang Kia and down through central and southern Vietnam, experiencing a culture vastly different from their own while stepping outside their comfort zone and embracing challenges with maturity and good humour.
This trip represents everything we hope to achieve in education – growth that extends far beyond academic knowledge. The lessons learned about resilience, cultural understanding and their own capabilities will shape who our students become.
What were the highlights for you personally?
Watching our students interact with local children in Hang Kia was genuinely heartwarming – seeing barriers of language and culture dissolve through play, dance and laughter. I was also particularly moved by their commitment to the service project.
What changes do you see in the students?
The transformation is remarkable. While students often start nervously and stay within their friendship groups, by the second week they’re branching out, showing initiative and supporting each other in new ways. The trip allows students who may struggle in traditional classroom settings to thrive in different environments. These changes endure back at school – students show greater confidence and maturity, engage more willingly with challenges and are more considerate of others, and teachers across the school have noticed improved cooperation and resilience and broader perspectives.
Why is it important for students to have experiences like this?
In our connected world, global experiences help students develop crucial skills: cultural awareness, adaptability, empathy and the ability to handle unfamiliar situations. When students spend time in a developing country like Vietnam, they gain perspective on inequality, recognise their own privilege and build gratitude and social responsibility.
From the laughter of children to the sly, toothless grin of a sun-tanned farmer, the village radiated a warmth that filled us with happiness. Our days were spent helping to build toilets for the town hall, wandering along mountain paths lined with lush greenery and dancing under the open sky with the village children — moments that felt simple, yet unforgettable. So far from daily life in Australia.
Hunter Kirkwood (Year 9)
CAMPS AND EXPERIENCES AT COLLEGE
Our extensive camps and experiences program provides a wide range of opportunities for our students to step outside their comfort zones and test their resilience while learning invaluable life skills and bonding with others.
• Years 1 to 5 overnight camping (2 to 3 days)
• Year 5 Sovereign Hill immersive costumed school experience (3 days)
• Year 6 Canberra Experience (5 days)
• Year 7 Glenelg National Park canoeing journey (4 days)
• Year 8 Mittagundi hiking, skiing, snow, camping and bush skills experience (7 days)
• Year 9 Grampians Retreat (1 day)
• Year 9 Melbourne Experience (5 days)
• Year 9 Vietnam international service trip (19 days)
• Year 10 Central Australia cultural and natural immersion trip (8 days)
• Year 12 Retreat in a tertiary setting (3 days)
• Years 9 to 12 Global Experiences
Boating in Ninh Binh: Sophie Russell and Ava Balkin
COLLEGE STUDENTS
TOP THE STATE
TWO MAJOR HISTORY PRIZES
PREMIER’S SPIRIT OF ANZAC PRIZE
Cairo Cullinane (Year 10) was one 11 Victorian students awarded this prize in 2025. The prize was a fully funded 11-day ANZAC study tour to Türkiye in September.
This has given me the opportunity of a lifetime: a journey through Türkiye, tracing the footsteps of the ANZACs and exploring a country full of history and culture. Standing at Anzac Cove, walking the beaches and trenches and delivering a speech at the Lone Pine Memorial made the stories of courage, sacrifice and camaraderie feel real in a way no book or classroom ever could.
We hiked Gallipoli in the exact footsteps of the ANZACs, exploring fortresses, bunkers and a naval submarine. We wandered Istanbul’s mosques, bustling bazaars and streets full of cats. We also met with the Consul General. I came home feeling grateful and inspired and with a deeper understanding of bravery, history and the enduring power of remembrance. This trip has left an impression I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
YEAR 10 STATE HISTORY CHAMPION
Austin Sobey (Year 10) was awarded joint Year 10 State Champion in the Australian History Competition 2025.
Teachers are always encouraging us to try something new but I never expected to top the state. I look forward to using my history knowledge and discovering more when I travel to Europe on the school trip next year.
Head of History and Humanities, Jody Ogle
It has been an exciting semester for the History faculty.
Participation in the Australian History Competition is offered as an extension activity in Years 7 to 10, with students nominated by their History teachers. Our students have participated in this competition for almost a decade, with participation rates growing considerably over this period. In 2025, College students achieved two High Distinctions and seven Distinctions which ranks them in the top percentiles across the nation.
Cairo reflecting at Anzac Cove in Türkiye
Austin receiving his award at the awards ceremony, pictured with Dr Nicholas Ferns, ARC DECRA Research Felow in History at Monash University
NEW BOARD MEMBER WELCOME LUCY CUMMING
Lucy is an accomplished educational leader with 25 years’ experience across leading independent schools. She is currently the Head of Senior School (City) at Haileybury, one of Australia’s top-performing co-educational schools, where she brings a deep commitment to student wellbeing, academic excellence, strategic innovation, and inclusive community leadership.
Prior to Haileybury, Lucy held the position of Deputy Principal – Boarding and Community at Ravenswood School for Girls in Sydney, where she led the transformation of the school’s boarding program into an award-winning, gold-standard model recognised nationally for excellence in student care, academics and wellbeing. Under her leadership, Ravenswood received multiple Excellence Awards from The Educator for both Boarding and Student Wellbeing.
Lucy began her career at Xavier College in Melbourne where she held a number of senior leadership roles including Faculty Head of Languages across Xavier’s three campuses. There, she pioneered curriculum innovation and immersive language programs and was a key driver of strategic staff and academic initiatives.
With a Master of Applied Positive Psychology and a passion for community-building, Lucy is dedicated to the holistic development of young people. She looks forward to contributing her experience in governance, wellbeing, and educational leadership to support the College’s continued growth, particularly its outstanding boarding tradition and regional reach.
I am honoured and delighted to be joining the Board of The Hamilton and Alexandra College. The College has a proud history of providing an outstanding education for regional families, and I am excited by the opportunity to serve a school that plays such an important role in its community, and I am eager to work alongside the Board, staff and families to ensure the College continues to thrive.
OLD COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
44 CURRENT STAFF MADE HONORARY LIFE
MEMBERS
A new Honorary Life Membership program acknowledges staff who have dedicated 10 or more years of service to the College and celebrates their legacy – the enduring impact they have made and continue to make on generations of students.
Excerpt from OCA President Hugh Koch’s speech at the launch event in July 2025
Our staff are the heart of the College experience. In my role as President, I’ve had the privilege of hearing countless reflections from our Old Collegians. Time and again, their fondest memories are not just of the buildings or the events, but of the people who shaped their journey.
Today, we welcome staff who have given outstanding service to the College. From the educators and those who provide wellbeing and support in the boarding house and the classroom; to the maintenance teams who keep the campus beautiful; to the finance team who keeps the lights on; to the kitchen staff who nourish us; to those who show up when students didn’t even know they needed someone; to the front-ofhouse staff who promote and engage, and to the quiet achievers behind the scenes who ensure everything runs smoothly. Each of you has played a role in shaping the lives of our students. You’ve helped them navigate adolescence, discover their passions and grow into the adults they are today.
STAFF HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
1993: Kristen Waldron 1995: Helen Reiher, Kathryn Salt 1996: Belinda Nichols
2001: Fran Agar, Bernadette Milich
2002: Linda Archer, Rebekah Bonnett, Ann Sutherland 2003: Valetta Bolton, Shane Bonnett, Nick Dopheide, Susie Holcombe, Peter Steer 2004: Craig Kennedy, Jody Ogle, Louise Williams 2005: Sue Cameron
2006: Dennis Dawson, Julien Guez, Fi O’Shannessy
2007: Bec Cameron, Stephen Nelson
2008: Amy Andrews, Leesa Clark, Lisé Lowe
2009: Paul Carroll, Deb Davis, Sharon Kelly, Brian Parfrey 2010: Jason Bourke, Anne Kristin Christie, Georgia Parry 2011: Lisa Addinsall, Penny Callinan, Erica James 2012: Mitch Clode, Ben Hawthorne, Nat Povey 2013: Nichole Atchison, Chris Bartlett, Mark Diprose 2014: Benjamin Hiscock, Bernadine Kelvy
1. Teaching staff: Dr Ben Hawthorne (Head of Middle Years), Kristen Waldron (Deputy Principal), Jody Ogle (Head of Humanities) and Lisé Lowe (Houseparent to Years 7/8 girl boarders) 2. College cleaning team: Chris Bartlett, Sue Cameron and Terry Boyd
COMMUNITY NEWS
BIRTHS
Brown: Duncan (2002) and Debbie Chia welcomed Beau Alexander Chia on 4 March 2024, a brother for Charlotte Anderson: Laura (Archer 2006) and Adrian welcomed Zoe Adele on 2 August 2025, a sister for Cooper Koenig: Steve (2009) and Amber welcomed Rory Hayes on 9 September 2024
WEDDINGS
James Macdonald (2007) and Katie Dowie on 6 September 2025
Emma Botterill (2009) and James Penny on 10 May 2025
Robyn Sleigh (2009) and Jordan Bennett on 27 September 2025
DEATHS
Margaret Brumley (Hobbs 1945) on 15 October 2025.
Margaret had fond memories of her time at Alexandra College and was a prominent member of the Old Collegians’ Association, being the longest serving committee member at the time of her death. As one of the oldest known Old Collegians, Margaret was invited to cut the sesquicentenary cake at the Gala Ball as part of the College’s 150th celebrations in 2022 (pictured with MC Dion Love (1990)). Margaret and her husband Alan Brumley were stalwarts of the Cavendish community and will be fondly remembered and respected. Their four children and three grandchildren attended the College.
Richard K Robinson (1942) on 19 August 2025
Maxwell ‘Barry’ Little (1958) on 19 August 2025. An Old Collegian and a past parent and grandparent, Barry is listed on the College Active Service Honour Roll for his service in Malaysia.
Margaret Lucas (Nichol 1963) on 23 December 2024. Margaret attended Alexandra College from 1959 to 1963 and was a keen hockey player. Christine Walker (Wilson 1976) on 1 August 2025. Christine was a boarder at Myrniong in the 1970s. Popular, warm
hearted, intelligent and fun, Christine was a well-loved member of the College community who treasured her years at College and enjoyed getting together with Old Collegian mates at every opportunity. The sister of Andrew, Robyn and Malcolm, the four Wilson children travelled from Bougainville Island throughout their boarding years.
Deborah Pinniger (Osmond 1977) on 23 August 2025
Emma and James Penny
James and Katie Macdonald
Robyn and Jordan Sleigh with Emma Penny (Botterill 2009) and Dave Fryer
WINTER COOKE GARDEN OFFICIAL OPENING
The idea of an inviting garden and play area for our Middle Years students has been raised by the P&F over a number of years. With renewed focus, we ran several very successful fundraising projects in 2022 and 2023. In June 2025 this wonderful project, which was largely funded by the P&F, was officially opened. We would like to thank every member of the College and broader community who supported our fundraising efforts, from parking people at the Open Gardens, to turning sausages at House sports, it was a huge team effort. The smiles of students as they rushed to explore the new play structure validated that vision and all the hard work.
Named in honour of Julia Winter Cooke with gratitude for her long and dedicated service to the College, the plaque reads: Julia Winter Cooke was a teacher at College from 1987–2021 and Head of Middle Years for 16 years. Julia prioritised people and human connections. This garden, named in her honour, seeks to do the same.
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PARENTS AND FRIENDS
1. Current and past P&F members at the turning of the sod on 10 March 2025. Back: Mandy Nagorcka (1996, past President), Narelle Hill (President), Keri Ross (past President), Dr Michael Horne (Principal), Jason Bourke (Business Manager), Rosemary Merrin (Board Chair), Dr Ben Hawthorne (Head of Middle Years) Front: Jane Evans (past President) and Zoe Price (Vice President) 2. Year 10 students Lacey Brian, Marianna Novikov, Ava Murrihy and Charlotte Ballantyne at the official opening
Winter Cooke family members at the official opening: Katie (staff member), Toby and Julia
3. Kate Novikov, Susannah Milne and Jan Milne 4. Ashley Cryer, Robert and Patrica Foreman, and Gracie and Peita Cryer 5. Sarah Crowle (Year 11) who played Donna, in character ahead of the show
MAMMA MIA! HIGH TEA
Guests were treated to a delicious spread with champagne and punch along with ABBA classics and a special sneak peek performance from Donna and the Dynamos at a high tea ahead of the Saturday matinee performance to get everyone excited for the annual College Musical. A big thank you to Zoe Price (Vice President) for organising this lovely event.
TRIVIA NIGHT
Our first trivia event in over a decade had all the elements for a successful night – 10 seriously competitive teams, incredible prizes from local businesses, catering by Groke Hamilton, Hugh Koch (OCA President) as MC and BYO eskies. It was such a huge success everyone is already asking when the next one will be. Big thanks to Kate Wall (Treasurer) who took on this initiative supported Mandy Nagorcka (past President) and Zoe Price (Vice President).
COLLEGE CHRISTMAS CAKES
Over 40 volunteers rolled up their sleeves and donned their aprons to help with this major annual P&F initiative this year, weighing, mixing, baking and distributing 500 of our famous Christmas cakes this year. Efforts like this show the true spirit of our College community. Thank you to everyone who helped, with special thanks to Kate Wall and Zoe Price for making it all happen.
Make sure you grab a cake or two for your family and friends to enjoy over the festive season. Cakes are on sale at Junior and Senior School Receptions, Roxburgh Café and Penshurst Bakery.
1. Event organiser Zoe Price (Vice President) with her children Sammie (Year 5) and Evie (Year 1) 2. Rosanne Richards, Mardi Johns and Elizabeth Johns
1. The winning team: Prep parents 2. True or False knockout game
3. Amazing prizes donated by local businesses and College families
4. Andrew Heazlewood (1993 and current parent) won his height in beer
1. Organiser Kate Wall (Treasurer) 2. Georgina Templeton and Amity Dunstan
3. Emma Weatherly with daughter Sophie
REUNION SEASON 2025
Class of 2015
Front row: Allie McAllen, Alice Johnston, Lucy Bunge, Sophie Holcombe
2nd row: Liam Price, Caitlin Fiegert
3rd row: Rhianna Kerr, Annabelle Millear, Victoria Gorst, Ben Murray, Ryan Hayward 4th row: Gretel Nagorcka, Bryce Farrugia, Hamish Sutherland Back row: Lachie Fletcher, Andrew Jackson
1. Hamish Sutherland, Bryce Farrugia, Lachie Fletcher and Andrew Jackson
2. Lucy Bunge, Alice Johnston, Kristen Waldron (Deputy Principal) and Victoria Gorst
3. Hamish Sutherland and Gretel Nagorcka
4. Reminiscing in the Archives Room
5. Helen Reiher (Head of Year 12 in 2015) sharing stories
Class of 2005
Front row: Doug Williams, Fiona Teakle, Amy Zelm, Sam Bell, Sally Haynes (Harris), Allie Smith
