Since 1997, Alison Hanham has been part of the Kennedy story, seeing the College grow from its early Winthrop and Somerville days into the vibrant community it is today.
When we asked Alison about the College’s early vision and how it has unfolded over the years, she reflected on a purpose that was clear from the very beginning. That is to provide a quality Christian education in a caring, affordable environment while sharing the message of Jesus. Over the years, she watched that vision deepen and strengthen, with the appointment of a Christian Education Coordinator, the arrival of Chaplains, and the growth of Christian Connect – all threads weaving into the College’s spiritual heartbeat.
The Heart of Learning
Walk into the Research and Study Centre today, and you’ll feel it instantly—energy, curiosity, conversation, colour. None of it happened overnight. The RASC grew alongside the College itself, transforming from an idea into a space where she affectionately calls “the place to be.”
As a Teacher Librarian, Alison stood at the centre of that transformation. She helped students develop study skills strategies that made them more confident, independent learners, and she nurtured a reading culture that became one of Kennedy’s defining features.
Kennedy has always been a “reading school,” and Alison credits the Board’s strong support for ensuring that the library remained well stocked and staffed. She has been pivotal in building a strong reading culture, supporting initiatives like Champions Read, which has evolved from a small idea into a whole-school event. From quiet reading moments during Pastoral Care Time across the campus to a fun dress-up day that has become a much-loved part of Kennedy life. These initiatives, big and small, have helped shape a vibrant learning culture at Kennedy.
“It’s so heart-warming,” Alison says, “to hear the silence across the school as everyone reads.”
March Memory Madness is another tradition that takes place biannually. And then there’s the Maker Space—where creativity comes alive and where the now-iconic Lego Challenge first started. Just another example of how Alison has helped turn ideas into lasting traditions.
These moments paint a picture of a school where students feel safe, recognised, and supported.
A community that feels like home.
Kennedy wasn’t just Alison’s workplace; it became her family’s school too. She sent her own daughters through the College, something she speaks about with deep gratitude.
“Where else would you send your children?” she reflects.
The strong alignment of values, the care of Christian staff, and the many opportunities available to students, from camps to co-curricular activities. One of the proudest moments was watching them graduate. Years later, her daughter Chelsea returned as a science teacher, adding another chapter to the Hanham family’s connection with Kennedy.
A Treasure Trove of Moments
After nearly three decades, Alison carries with her a collection of memories, each a snapshot of a life spent guiding and growing alongside the community.
The opening of the new RASC building.
Second‑generation students walking through the gates.
Friday morning teas shared with colleagues.
The patient and ever-reliable IT team next door.
Conversations with students about books that lit up their imaginations.
Even the daily drive to work with her daughter—ordinary yet irreplaceable.
And always, the joy of helping students discover stories that stayed with them long after the last page.
Looking Ahead
Retirement invites Alison into a gentler season: time to travel, relax, and simply “smell the roses.”
But her influence will linger in the hallways, in the pages of well-worn books, in the quiet moments of reading across the school, and in every student who learned not just to study—but to love learning.
When asked to describe Kennedy in three words, she didn’t hesitate:
Outstanding. Caring. Committed.
Her hope is simple and sincere: that students and families will continue to embrace all that the College offers—and come to know the light of Jesus along the way.
