It is with great pride and optimism that I welcome you to The Hamilton and Alexandra College. Thank you for considering College for your child’s education. If this is your first exploration of our school, I hope that our website gives you a sense of the warm community and rich opportunities you will find when you visit in person.

Established in 1871, for over 150 years The Hamilton and Alexandra College has been amongst regional Australia’s best and most successful schools. We are an ambitious academic school, which remains rooted in firm traditions and values. Our small size means that we are able to know each student well, and to understand the rich, full lives they lead within our community and beyond in our region. Our highly experienced staff are subject and instructional experts, seeking the best for and from every young person whom they walk alongside.

Our regional location means that our students are deeply connected to this place and surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty on our campuses and beyond. We believe that students thrive when given the opportunity to genuinely and humanely connect with each other and with their teachers. We facilitate this connection through a rich and wide co-curricular, camps and tours program and see the benefits repaid in strong relationships of respect and support.

A rich sense of community and service to others underpins our school’s culture. By nurturing each student academically and beyond the classroom, we hope to contribute to our students leaving as thoughtful, engaged and caring young people ready to excel globally. 

A very warm welcome to College.

About Michael

Michael Horne commenced as Principal of The Hamilton and Alexandra College in 2023. He brings to College a long understanding of regional life and education, having been raised and educated in Wangaratta and having worked in regional Victorian independent schools.

Immediately prior to his appointment at The Hamilton and Alexandra College, Michael was Associate Principal at Braemar College in the Macedon Ranges, and previous to this, held a variety of senior leadership positions in Catholic and independent schools, including Head of Senior School and Deputy Principal.

Michael considers himself first and foremost to be an English teacher, with interests in music, history and outdoor pursuits. He has an abiding interest in thoughtful and reflective education, including ethics, big ideas and philosophy in schools.

Mr Horne is currently undertaking a Doctor of Education degree through The University of Melbourne, with his research focusing on the development of professional learning using teacher-led action research methodologies. He holds a Master of Education and Graduate Diploma in Education, both from The University of Melbourne, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from Monash University. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Michael is married to Gemma, and they have two sons who also attend College.