Year 8 Melbourne boy expands social opportunities at school in the country
Firm structure, engaging curriculum and outdoor activities attracted this 14-year-old boy to make the move from the city to the country when he started at Hamilton and Alexandra College mid-year.
AN OCCASIONAL slice of Domino’s Pizza would make things just perfect for Charlie Clancy.
The Year 8 boarding student said he was too busy at his new school to miss anything other than a fast food treat from home.
The 14-year-old is a city boy, from Bayside in Melbourne, and joined Hamilton and Alexandra College boarding house mid-year.
His father, Rob, said they decided on rural boarding to expand academic and social opportunities for his son.
“We wanted a school that could nurture his talents while providing boundaries to help him develop along the straight and narrow,” Mr Clancy said.
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Firm structure, engaging curriculum and outdoor activities were Mr Clancy’s main criteria.
“There were not a huge number of options available that were outside Melbourne, co-ed and had a good reputation for nurturing the child’s emotional as well as academic wellbeing,” Mr Clancy said. “One of those options was Hamilton … it became clear that they had a very big emphasis on community, particularly in the boarding house.
“There was also a strong emphasis on physical activity and sports, and, especially with boys, keeping them active and occupied. That was a strong attraction.
“And as a city family, we were also attracted by the opportunity for Charlie to meet and get to know kids from very different backgrounds to his own.”
The sport that engaged Charlie’s attention the most was clay pigeon shooting.
He had never shot a gun before being offered the opportunity at the college.
After his first target shooting session, Charlie was hooked and will take part in a competition with the school later this month.
“Not only has it been fun, it has made me meet a lot of new people,” Charlie said.
Marksmanship runs in Charlie’s family. His great grandfather was a gunnery officer in the Royal Australian Navy.
Director of boarding Andrew Monk said the boarding program included mandatory activities outside the classroom.
“They can’t stay in their room and play computer games,” he said. “With Charlie, we went around a few activities, table tennis, basketball and struck gold with shooting. That has now opened up some friendships.”
Mr Clancy added: “The school really went out of its way to identify buddies and mentors and kids around Charlie’s age who could help him assimilate into the school.”
Mr Monk said there were 12 Year 7-8 boarders enrolled for Term 4, and the recently renovated facilities could accommodate 120 students across Years 7-12.
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