Well, we did it, while this term challenged us yet again with covid and the flu we got there. As I do at the end of each term I reflect on what we have all achieved as a community. The list of amazing things is endless, two stand outs were our camps program and our Open Day at Sunshine Campus.
School camps are such a wonderful experience, all young people should be able to experienceschool camps. I thank Eric Woodward and our staff for their hard work to make both of our camps happen.
Last night was our Sunshine Campus Open Day. A wonderful way to end the term, the excitement and number of people was a tribute to the dedication and commitment of our staff to their work. Our young people were such great ambassadors for our school, they were amazing in their ability to guide tours, interview on radio, serve some amazing food and speak to potential new enrolments about their love and experiences or HHA. I thank everyone involved in making it happen. A special thanks to our Sunshine Head of Campus Cameron Rowe for his leadership of the campus. Don’t forget our Prahran Campus Open day on Saturday 23rd July, we look forward to seeing you there.
As the semester draws to a close we celebrate the educational success of many of our students. We have several students who are graduating to a new VCAL levels and a number who have completed their senior school studies. Well done all.
Today we farewell Stella (Rebecca Stella), Wellbeing Team Leader (WTL) who leaves us for a period of parental leave. We can’t wait to see a picture of your new bundle of joy. Congratulations to Ruby Cashmore who will be Acting WTL at Prahran during Stella’s leave.
Thank you also to Emmanuel Gelberidis who has been with us as a CRT throughout this term. Good luck at your next school.
Leyth Gard, Foundation Teacher at City Campus begins his new adventure in sunny Queensland. We still have our fingers crossed that he will one day return to HHA.
We have a number of staff who have committed to the Dyslexia training during their holidays. Our students will benefit greatly from their commitment to learning.
I ask that you stay safe over the holiday period, rest up, do something special for yourself and we will see you ready to go for a bigger and better Term 3. Student Progress Meetings begin on 12th July. A reminder to ensure that if you have not already, please book your meeting with the classroom youth worker as soon as possible.
Sally Lasslett Principal – the Hester Hornbrook Academy
2022 Sunshine Open Day
Sunshine campus showcased their campus to the community last week of term 2 with a fun filled night.
HEAT class catered and served finger food throughout the night while rest of the classes, along with Electives displayed their work.
We also had Brimbank live recording stories hosted by our students.
Mother's Day 2022
Our Young Parents' class hosted the celebration of Mother's Day at Sunshine campus last week. This year we decided to name it "Mother's & Other's Day" to celebrate mother, and others who play a motherly role in our lives.
There was a pop up stall on site to sell wheat bags, succulents, badges, scrunchies and jewelley. All these were hand crafted by the students in Young Parents' class. The profit will be donated to St Kilda Mums which is an organisation run by volunteers. They recycle donated baby and toddler essentials to other mums in need who might not be able to buy all the things their child needs.
The VET and HEAT class did a massive spread which included fresh scones, minestrone soup, pumkin soup w garlic bread, cookies and more. Huge shout out to Michael, Amber and Jaz from Senior class to do the badges.
Job Fair 2022
Careers week has been on full swing over all three campuses and what a week this has been for our young people.
This was our very first in house jobs fair where we introduced our young people to a range off employment and training pathway opportunities.
Here is a glimpse of the week:
Introducing the awesome Careers and Pathways team behind the successful job fairs across all campuses:
Mock Election
On Monday 16th May, the City Intermediate class ran it’s PDS2 community project – the HHA Mock Election – in a bid to shine a light on the upcoming Federal Election and to educate students and staff on how to vote and why it’s important.
The project members worked together to produce a half-day event for the whole of the City Campus. All students and staff from the City Campus engaged in an “Essential election information” presentation before being audience to a “candidate Q&A” session whereby project members acted as candidates for the four big political parties (Liberals, Labor, Greens and United Australia Party) and the independents. The audience were treated to theatrical speeches and enthusiastic responses to public questions. The whole campus was also decorated with “how to vote” posters and promotional material from candidates.
In the final session of the day, all students and staff participated as voters in a realistic election day setting. With the project members now role-playing as Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) volunteers, voters lined up single-file outside the “polling place” and waited until they were called to get their name ticked off the electoral roll, were issued their ballot paper and made to complete their preferential vote in actual voting booths. Once everyone voted, the voters became scrutineers and closely observed the AEC volunteers determine the winner according to the preferential voting rules. Finally, the winner was decided – Grace, the Labor candidate.