Alana Brown, The Hamilton and Alexandra College, Naracoorte Community News

The Hamilton and Alexandra College is pleased to welcome Mr Michael Horne as the 39th Principal in the school’s 151-year history.

Mr Horne, along with his wife Gemma and sons Henry (Year 7) and Theo (Year 4), moved to Hamilton and joined the College community for the start of Term Two.

Mr Horne is an experienced educational leader and was most recently Associate Principal at Braemar College in Woodend, Victoria. Prior to this role, was Head of Senior School at Braemar College, and has held senior leadership positions including Deputy Principal at Salesian College and Ave Maria College. He considers himself first and foremost to be an English teacher, with interests in music, history and outdoor pursuits.

It has been an exceptionally busy start to the role and Mr Horne has experienced the breadth of the College offering and been impressed by the way in which College students engage with staff and with each other. In a short two weeks, Mr Horne has acknowledged and witnessed College students in their pursuit of a well-rounded education, while remaining focused on their learning.

“In the short time that I have been at The Hamilton and Alexandra College, I have seen a school at full tilt, with students involved in the dramatic arts and music, sporting teams, speaking at public events, and engaged in their learning. In all of these, they have impressed with their candour, energy and community-mindedness,” said Mr Horne.

Together with his family, Michael has enjoyed getting to know staff and students, as well as meeting many members of the College community, including past and present parents and Old Collegians.

“Regional schools are not the same as metropolitan schools; they have a unique character, a particular set of strengths and challenges, and the quality and breadth of education available in Hamilton is remarkable and unique. I’ve enjoyed starting to understand the deep community connections to College, which stretch back in time and support the students of the school in myriad ways,” Mr Horne said.

Beyond school life, Michael and his family continue to explore the Hamilton region and wider South West area, having already been shown some of its attractions by locals, and they look forward to being immersed in all it has to offer.

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.