Newsletter #431
Friday 28 April 2017
From The Principal
Welcome Back to Term 2
Welcome back To Term 2. I trust everyone had an enjoyable break away from normal routine and have returned refreshed in
readiness for the term ahead. One of the things I am so proud of about our School is the fact that it rarely closes down. In fact
these holidays saw many of our dedicated support staff at their desks, or on the campus ensuring all was ready for the return of
students yesterday. Further, during the holiday period a large number of Year 12 students worked independently in the library and
or met with their teachers who ran extra lessons. Our ECEC Program has, of course, continued and numbers of students attending
has been consistently high. Thank you to all of our dedicated staff who ‘despite the constant media criticism’ go the extra mile,
each and every day and each and every holiday period.
The teaching staff officially returned earlier this week and spent two days engaged in professional development. Specifically, our
learning has been focused on the following aspects of our school, with a view to embed these further, improve what we do, and
model and display our own personal and collective commitment to learning:
Whole School Pedagogy, underpinned as it is by Guided Inquiry Pre K to 12 (PYP to HSC)
Positive Education Pre K to 12
Literacy and Numeracy Development, in a K to 6 context.
Both days were stimulating and staff reflected upon their current practices and planned to improve, extend and enrich all they do
on behalf of the their students. We look forward to the theory becoming a reality as our learning informs our practice.
Staff News
Welcome back to Mr Robert Thomas (HSIE) who has been on long service leave and spent some time travelling. We look forward
to hearing of his adventures as he settles back into school
Welcome again to Mrs Nicole House (TAS) who will be working once more in the TAS department, replacing Mrs Carrick’s whilst
she is on maternity leave
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Congratulations to Mrs Sally Nichelsen who has been appointed Acting Head of Pennant House in place of Mrs Carrick
We wish Mrs Katherine Wickham (Junior School) all the very best as she commences her maternity leave and awaits the arrival of
her first child.
We send our very best wishes to Mrs Jane Cole (Junior School) who was involved in a traffic incident at her home in the Blue
Mountains at the end of last term which resulted in her being hospitalised. Jane is now home and we wish her a speedy recovery.
Mr Greg Tobin (Mathematics) will leave us in four weeks’ time to take up a positon at William Clarke College. We wish Greg well
and thank him for his contribution to Hills Grammar these past five years.
Campus Developments
Please note that the campus continues to be transformed with the following additions / modifications occurring these holidays:
Seating at the Netball courts
External painting of the Languages Building
External painting at Music and internally in MU3 (carpeting and further painting will occur in June. External seating and
building signage will follow.
Mathematics Building has had some repair work down to the external poles and external painting has commenced
Bus Bay seating and safety fences have been repainted
A connecting road from the paddock to the car park above English, and to provide a direct route to ECEC from within the
campus is being constructed, along with an associated replanting of gardens in this area.
The old Science Lab in JS4 (now a TAS room) has been carpeted
The Canteen refurbishment has been finalised.
Take a walk to view all of these wonderful enhancements of the learning environment.
Relay For Life
May I commend the following community activity to all members of the school community. The Relay for Life community used the
MPH on Saturday Night last week for their annual Trivia Night during which I pledged a donation from the School in memory of
Rob Phipps - please consider whether you wish to be involved in this worthy community activity. We have been impacted upon
by the curse of cancer a few too many times in the recent past.
A team called Hills Grammar has been entered in the Hills 2017 Relay For Life. The School would love you to join our team for a
fantastic 24 hours of fun and festivities on Saturday 20 May 2017 at Castle Hill Showground, Castle Hill. To join the team or
donate, simply head to the team page via this link (and click on ‘join our team’).
For more information about the Hills 2017 Relay, click here.
Michael Smith | Principal
Twitter: @Principal_Hills
Spring Fair Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Webpage
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Crimson Thread
Over seven nights toward the end of Term 1 we held a conversation with parents entitled The Crimson Thread: What unites Hills
Grammar in 2017 and beyond? During the gatherings I specifically identified four areas to which I am asking all members of the
Hills Grammar community to subscribe and for which we must all be advocates:
Culture (unique and worth celebrating)
Commitment (to Hills Grammar)
Belief and Pride (in our School)
Community (membership)
In addition we updated attendees on the 2017 Strategic Priorities, Master Planning, the Learners’ Walk and invited everyone to be
‘Partners in Learning’ enabling the talents, strengths, abilities of the parent body to be utilised in the delivery of an Extraordinary
Education. We also gathered attendees views on building program priorities.
I would like to thank the nearly 200 parents and other supporters who attended over the seven gatherings and would now invite
those who were not able to, to review the documents issued by clicking on the links above. Please, in particular complete the
‘Partners In Learning' survey so that the potential of our parent body to contribute to learning is identified. For those who did
attend and have not yet returned the survey please feel free to complete the survey online.
At the final gathering I asked those who attended to complete the sentence Hills Grammar is …... The following are some of the
responses received:
Hills Grammar School is a very special place for our children!
Hills Grammar is a student centred school due to the outstanding attributes of grace, humility and hard work being exemplified by
the Principal and teachers which will ultimately produce Hill Grammarian students who will become our future outstanding leaders
of society and a world changer bringing great impact in people's lives.
Hills Grammar is a place my children love to come to each day. Even today, last day of term and a 6am start with all 3 to the gym
for their various undertakings, completely self-initiated.
Hills Grammar is a school where each child has the opportunity to strive towards excellence in their individual interests through
use of the superb facilities and with the support of caring teachers and staff.
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Lest We Forget
For as long as I can remember April means ANZAC, and so it was again in 2017. Hills Grammar marks this occasion annually in
assemblies, the protocol for which dictates that these should occur prior to 25 April commemorations. As such the Junior and
Senior School students gathered at two separate assemblies at the end of Term One to learn, observe, remember and give thanks
for the society and community that has been defended by those who have served in the armed forces from the Boer War at the
turn and the twentieth century through to more recent conflicts and peace keeping missions in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq
and East Timor.
We were delighted to welcome and be addressed by Major Benjamin Watson (Class of 1999) at both assemblies and at which he
spoke of his own experiences, the meaning of ANZAC and the importance of service. We appreciate Major Watson’s willingness
to return to his old school and share so openly with the current student body his powerful personal and national message
Congratulations also to Hills Grammar students who represented the School at various ANZAC Ceremonies in the Hills district
today this past weeks.
School Vice Captains Zoe de Castro. Peter Lautre, Junior Captains Rory Wilson and Ruby Cook, and Vice Captains Samantha Chi
and Lachlan who represented the school at the annual RSL School Remembrance Service Hyde Park War Memorial
Lucy Coote (address) and Callum Avery (last post) attended the School at the Kenthurst ANZAC Day Service. Lucy and Callum
were both participants in the official program and represented the school superbly in front of an audience of 1000 attendees.
Will Sampson (Year 11) who was selected last term as Secondary Schools ANZAC Ambassador – addressed a crowd of 16,000
people at the Centenary of Anzac Reserve Dawn Service. From one of the organisers: ‘Will spoke of General Sir John Monash
eloquently and with sincerity. It is a credit to Will that he researched, wrote and presented his speech in a comprehensive and
effective manner. Will's presentation in front of so many brought great credit to him and his school. He has filled the role with
equal measures of competence and pride’
And from a member of the public unsolicited:
My family and I attended the dawn service at Kellyville this morning. At the event, four leading students from high schools around
the area spoke of the Great War and the part played by Monash through the actions. I wish to call out and commend the speech
made by your delegate who represented the school in the event. His speech was compelling, interesting and colourful, yet
delivered in the most appropriate tone - with maturity, a lack of self-indulgence and with amazing respect and clarity. From my
wife and myself, please accept our commendation of this student and the representation of the school that he presented. It is
unusual these days to take the time to call such acts out, yet we feel that he did a brilliant job; you, your peers and the community
should hold this sort of representation as the pinnacle of how the community at large is represented by your school. Well done,
and please ensure that this young man is well recognised
Congratulations to Will!
Below Will discusses his role as ANZAC Ambassador.
Read More
The Hills Shire Council in conjunction with the Castle Hill RSL appointed 4 high school ambassadors to represent their schools and
the youth of our community at the Anzac Day dawn service. I am very grateful to Hills Grammar for nominating me for this role, it
was a privilege and great honour to represent our school and gave me an experience I will never forget.
The program consisted of media training accompanied with an interview from Radio 2CH’s Gareth McCray and several functions
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where we had the opportunity to meet with many of the war veterans from Castle Hill RSL. It culminated on Tuesday 25 April with
the ANZAC Day dawn service where each of the ambassadors spoke in turn about General Sir John Monash – one of Australia’s
most prolific war heroes. I focused specifically on his post war life and the continued contribution he made to the Australia
community. In our research learnt so much about General Sir John Monash and his amazing contribution to our country, a truly
great Australian.
As ambassadors, we represented the voice of all young Australians in regards to the ANZAC Spirit and how important it is to our
country. One of the highlights for me was meeting with the returned soldiers whose stories of courage and mateship embody the
ANZAC Spirit. It is important for us all to remember that so many put their life on the line so we could enjoy the lives we live
today.
Will Sampson | Year 11
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From The Chair Of Council
Thank You
Hills Grammar can only be successful if we have the support of the families who trust the school with the education of the most
precious thing in their lives – their children. We perhaps don’t often enough say ‘thank you’ for that. So, welcome to Term 2 and
thank you for choosing to be part of the Hills Grammar community.
Earning and retaining the trust, respect and support of the parents, grandparents and others who year after year choose to be part
of the Hills Grammar school community is something School Council, Leadership and staff never take for granted. The financial
investment of an independent school education is substantial and there are many alternatives available to choose from, so we are
truly thankful for your continued trust, respect and financial support. Without these things we simply don’t have a viable school.
A school is more than the classrooms, sports facilities, the academic and co-curricular offerings, the leadership, staff and the
School’s history, uniforms and reputation. It is more than being co-educational, non-denominational and ECEC to yr. 12. Of course
it is all those and many other things, and in Hills Grammar we are proud of those aspects, but the thing which really defines any
school is its character. Character is the stuff which really sets schools apart and determines their destiny. What defines Hills
Grammar’s character? Everyone has their own thoughts and at the recent crimson thread sessions Michael Smith got some
wonderful feedback from our community on what defines Hills Grammar and makes us unique. For me, Hills Grammar’s character
is in part defined by how the entire school community embraces our ethos (which is our Vision, Mission, Values and Graduate Aim)
and the strength and genuineness of student relationships – with their fellow students, their teachers and other staff. I think a
school’s character is critical to building student confidence, resilience and excellence – and I hope you see these things in your
children.
As always, I welcome your feedback and questions and you can get in touch with me here.
If you would like to get in touch with me, you can do so here.
Charles Denes | Chair, School Council
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ECEC
Calendar of Events
ECEC Drama
Miss Rosie has organised a special Drama lesson for the children to come dressed as their favourite character. The children can
choose a character from a book, a movie, a musical or one that they have become familiar with during Drama.
The character dress up days will be on:
Monday 1 May
and
Friday 5 May
Drama will be on at the usual time for each room and will occur within the ECEC, but the children may wear their costume for the
whole day.
The children who attend the Monday – Friday (5 day) program may come dressed as a character on both of these dates.
Please do not go to any extra expense for the character dress up day, and please pack suitable spare clothing in your child’s bag in
the event that they wish to get changed during the day. The children need to wear their usual footwear (sneakers) with their
costume so they can play and learn safely.
Mother's Day
The ECEC children have been very excited to invite their parents and grandparents to an afternoon tea to celebrate Mothers’ Day.
The afternoon tea will be held in the children’s play rooms on:
Wednesday 10 May from 2.00-2.45pm
or
Friday 12 May from 2.00-2.45pm
The children have been busy discussing and choosing what they would like to cook for their families and writing shopping lists as
they will be cooking something special for their family members.
Please feel free to join us for either function. RSVPs can be made in the playrooms near the sign in sheets. We will spend the week
preparing for the events, and as the children are cooking, we would love to know firm numbers.
We look forward to seeing you there.
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Our Holiday Learning Program
The holiday period provides a fantastic opportunity for the children at ECEC to spend time unwinding after the busy term. Being
able to enjoy a change from the term routine gives the children opportunities to learn through play for longer amounts of time and
to be able to take the days a little more slowly. Many children have enjoyed coming to the ECEC wearing mufti clothing and
everyone loved spending time learning with friends and educators from other rooms.
During the day, some groups swapped rooms, so the children could access different resources and spend time in other learning
environments. The children also enjoyed spending large periods of uninterrupted learning and play time in both the indoor and
outdoor areas. Some rooms took part in spontaneous disco parties, picnics and spent extra time engaged in art and craft
experiences.
Every room took advantage of being able to visit our School Campus and have gained a wide knowledge of the different areas and
facilities offered at our School. Each day the children from different rooms ventured out to visit the School oval, the Kindergarten
play area, their toilets, the Library, the basketball courts and to watch the renovation of the Canteen. The children often ate their
morning tea during their adventures through the School and everyone took part in wonderful conversations when they returned.
They enjoyed discussing where they walked, what they saw, how large the School was, what was fun to do and how long the walk
was between ECEC and the big School!
As we approach Term 2, the children and educators are looking forward to all the wonderful experiences ECEC and the wider
School community has to offer. Our specialist lessons will resume, uniforms will be back on and our term time learning program
will be in place.
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Learning in Room 2
Term 1 has been a very fun and exciting time for the children in Room 2. They have spent time becoming familiar with the ECEC
environment, their peers, our educators and the wider community and campus of Hills Grammar. The children have explored a
range of topics including healthy eating, road safety, bugs and insects, cultures, emotions, feelings and friendships.
In particular, the children are continuing to develop a strong sense of identity. They have learned about the heritage of many
ECEC families and how to say hello in different languages. They have shared information about their cultures and have learned
how to count to 10 in Spanish, Mandarin and Maori.
To assist the children develop a strong sense of well being; individual feelings and emotions have been a central focus each week
in our program. The children are developing self control and self regulation as they practice managing their emotions, and are
becoming more skilled at recognising and responding to their feelings. Room 2 is enjoying communicating and expressing
themselves using visuals, words and through their drawings. We have created a feelings and emotions space in our room, and on
a daily basis educators have observed the children communicating the way they are feeling using the resources there. Some
children have also become very adept at using the calming resources as a way of managing their own emotions.
This term we also had a strong focus on friendships, as the children are establishing close connections with one another. The
children were able to focus on expressing their ideas about friendships and develop important skills of turn taking and sharing of
resources. They have also been encouraged to be a good friend, which has been reinforced by the use of Room 2’s Friendship
Bucket. The Friendship Bucket has been used as a foundation for the childrens’ daily reflections on all the wonderful things they
do with and for one other.
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Junior School
Guided Inquiry – Learning at Hills Grammar
On Monday morning this week, our K-12 teachers met together to hear my presentation on our Whole School Pedagogy entitled
‘Guided Inquiry - Learning at Hills Grammar’. The presentation included video interviews with students; video snapshots from
classrooms; and time to reflect on both theory and practice at Hills Grammar. Our Whole School Pedagogy is based on four key
principles: Guided Inquiry, Learner-Centred teaching; Assessment for Learning; and Differentiation. As the Principal has been
explaining to parents in the Crimson Thread discussions, Guided Inquiry is the headline, and we have taken the following definition
as key:
‘Guided Inquiry’ is here defined … to indicate the guiding role of the teacher in an inquiry-based pedagogy; so that the teacher is
not passive as the student learns, but is ‘active and reactive, to support, to prompt, to question and to continue to scaffold
learning through a range of critical teaching practices that foster an atmosphere of questioning and debate.’
Hague & Payton 2010, p.54.
On Wednesday, Senior School teachers spent the day working together as one faculty, with the task of transforming ‘Units of
Work’ into ‘Units of Inquiry’. The new template we use to organize our curriculum programs includes such features as identifying
the ‘Big Question’, the lines of inquiry, interdisciplinary connections, ‘Showcase’ opportunities, opportunities to share expertise
from our ‘Partners in Learning’, and identifying the key ‘thinking moves’ (Harvard thinking routines) that will assist our students to
move beyond content to deeper understanding. It’s been a great few days of professional learning and discussions, and I hope has
helped to energise the teaching staff with a new sense of common purpose. Working in a Pre K to 12 school provides this rare
opportunity: to see the learning journey from age 3 to 18; and to chart the course of learning with the Graduate Aim in mind from
the very beginning.
Geoff Gates | Director of Academic Programs Pre K to 12
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Premier's Reading Challenge 2017 Completed
Avid readers Scotty Elliott of 6L and Harrison O'Neill of 6P completed the Premier's Reading Challenge on April 3. They completed
at least 15 books from the PRC Reading List and up to 5 free choice books, a total of 20 books. Congratulations to these
enthusiastic readers on Meeting the Challenge in record time and to all students improving their literacy through participating in
this reading challenge 2107. Enjoy your reading!
Robyn Evans | Nexus
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Commendations
Citizenship
Hannah Read 6P, Georgia King 2MC, Shri Raveendran 6P, Alana Sullivan 3M, Isabel Aldridge 6P, Chase Appleroth 3M, Shruti
Tiwari 3M.
Effort
Konstantina Agamalis 2R, Alexander Ranganatha 2R, Zaiden Oueik KB, Jasper Jiang KB, Joseph Melides KY, Arthur Hooper
Whitmore KY, Jack Luzar 6P, Justin Billingsley 3M, Cinta Ling 3M, Youssef Eleisawy 4K, Jacob Stephenson 1M, Grace Kazzi 3K,
Oliver-James Davis 1T, Samar Sidhu 1T, Sophie Ball 2MC, Mellica Devadas 2MC, Chelsea Kneeves 3K, Benjamin Jones 3K, Ava
Fyfe 4GN, Alex Choat 2C, Vito Colosimo KR, Mica Devadas KY, Emma Galea 2R, Emir Habiboglu 1T, Ryan Leclere 2MC, Isabella
Pappalardo 1M, Alexandra Saulnier KB, Ashton Schwebel 1C, Tali Henson KR, Matilda Reeves KR, Lachlan Boyd 6R, Abhinav
Ananth 6R, Skyla Feary 2MC, Tyla Willemsen KY, Audrey Liu KY, Isabella Banovic 6L, Vraj Patel 6L, Ainslie Lennon 5S, Olivia Ilioski
KB, Ruben Sidhu KB, Ewan Gates 1C, Osborn Qian 1T, James Leclere 1M, Genevieve Rizk 1M, Vedhika Satchi 3S, Lachlan Jones
3S, Harrison Reeves 3M, Talia Borg KR, Thomas Wang KR, Ella Appleroth 3K, Schuyler Ranganatha 6R, Stelios Agamalis 6R,
Georgie Heath 6L, Emma Romeo 6L, Ishana Agarwal KY, William Bryks KY, Danny Reay 5M, Max Antunac 5M, Robbie Reay 5G,
Octavia Chaaya KB, Sarim Lakhani KB, Andrew Megalli 1T, Nicholas Ton 1T, Joshua Callus 4GN, Sang Joon Lehrer 4GN.
Improvement
Imran Acar 6L, Gabriel Chegodaev 1M, Alexander Dobbie 2MC, Joel Patterson 5S, Rocco Roseworne 1C, Grace Ethan 6L, Beirui
Baoli 5G, Harry O’Neill 6P.
Proficiency
Leela Enahoro 6L, Elina Degani 4K, Thehashi Gunawardene 3K, Tamara Walker 3S, Aiden Mendes-Shineberg 3S, Ruby Cook 6R,
Jessica Ellis 4GN, Billy Ilioski 4G, Lexy McEvoy 4K, Lucila Schwemler Ciancio 3K, Tristan Ting 6L, Shruti Tiwari 3M, Jaxon Wales
6P, Marcus Wang 3S, Lynelle Northam 4GN, Imogen Sidaros 6P, Calla Zhu 1T, Isaac Enahoro 3K, Linda Ye 6R, Martta Keloneva
6P, Tanya Sidhu 4K, Nicola Uhlmann 4K.
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Junior School – Music
HICES Music Festival Years 5-8
In 2017, HICES Music Festival Years 5-8 will be held from Sunday 13 to Wednesday 16 August at the Tops Conference Centre,
Stanwell Tops and Sydney Town Hall. The event commences on Sunday evening with over 350 students from HICES schools
coming together for 3 days of music making culminating in the Festival Concert on Wednesday 16 August. In previous years, Hills
Grammar has had an enthusiastic group of participants placed in each of the ensembles represented at the Festival. This exciting
opportunity is open to students currently involved in a co-curricular music ensemble upon recommendation from their respective
ensemble conductor, and upon successful placement after receipt of all applications. Invitations will be sent to parents/carers in
the near future, so please do look out for this outstanding opportunity to make music with like-minded students from across New
South Wales. For concert band instrumentalists, a quick sight-reading video will be prepared for the audition panels to consider as
part of each students application. For more information, please contact the music office.
Music Co-Curricular
Students in Years K-6 are able to join a music co-curricular ensemble during Term 2 in preparation for our upcoming concerts.
Please contact the music office directly for more information and also consult the attached schedule of music rehearsals and music
co-curricular brochure for more information.
Term 2 Performances
Year 2 Concert with Junior String Ensemble – Tuesday 13 June @ 2:15pm
Year 3 Concert with Sinfoni – Wednesday 14 June @ 2:15pm
Year 4 Concert with Bandemonium – Thursday 15 June @ 2:15pm
Year 5 Concerts – Friday 16 June during music class in Mu3.
Junior Lunchtime Concerts - Wednesday 14 June and Thursday 15 June at 1:20pm in the RJP Performance Centre
Kindy and Year 1 Concert with Sinfoni – Tuesday 20 June at 2:30pm
Music Showcase – Thursday 22 June in the RJP Performance Centre. All junior ensembles will be involved in the 6pm concert.
Owen Nelson | Head of Department, Music
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Positive Education
Discovering, Dreaming, Designing and Delivering Exceptional Staff and Student Wellbeing at Hills Grammar
On Wednesday 26 April, the Junior School teaching staff spent the entire day exploring how we can build on the strengths of our
current practices in wellbeing to develop a future where every Hills student and teacher can thrive.
The day followed the format of an Appreciative Inquiry Summit, where we were led through a series of structured activities which
enabled deep reflection and the development of wonderfully creative ideas. The day was facilitated by our Positive Education
consultants, Dr Justin Coulson and Dr Paula Robinson.
Over the coming terms, Junior School staff will be learning more about Positive Education and developing a refreshed Hillscontextualised wellbeing program that will enhance the wellbeing and learning outcomes of all our students. Stay tuned for more
exciting developments!
Jen Jarrett | Director of Student Wellbeing
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Sports Updates
Cross Country
Notices have been sent to all parents regarding the upcoming cross country representative carnivals. Please note the details
below:
Senior School HZSA Carnival is on May 5 at the Sydney Equestrian Centre. Please confirm if your child requires transport.
Junior School HICES Carnival is on May 23 at Bowral. Please confirm if your child requires transport.
Both junior and senior students are invited to attend the training sessions run on Thursday mornings from 7.30am, students are to
meet Mr Donaldson at the MPH.
Basketball
The 2016/17 basketball season has come to its conclusion and there have been a number of pleasing results with a few of our
teams appearing in the finals.
The U16 girls team finished their competition making it all the way to the semi-finals unfortunately they were unsuccessful in
their quest to make the Grand Final losing in a tight final. The girls have trained with plenty of enthusiasm during the season and
have been a credit to the way they have represented Hills Grammar I
The team members are Laura Murray, Emma Zou, Jessica Bailey, Scarlet Cascun-Valencic, Megan Johnson. Front row: Jessica
Tester and Shannon Tan. (Image above, left to right)
Coach: Mr Vial.
Premiers - Congratulations to the Under 16 Boys who were successful in going right through to the Grand Final and taking out
the premiership. These boys have worked hard all season and with a number of boys playing together over a few years the boys
have been rewarded for their consistent efforts. Well done to the following boys Aidan Lilley, Cai Lilley, Jess Johnston, Michael
Sherry, Riley Blakers, Farzeen Jahan and Andrew McEvoy and to their coach Mr Blakers.
Basketball Presentation - All players and parents are invited to attend the Basketball Presentation which will be held on Monday
May 15 at the RJ Phipps Performance Centre from 5.30pm.
Upcoming Events
3 May Year 5 HZSA sport begins
5 May - HZSA Cross Country - Senior School
5 May - Year 4 HZSA Cross Country begin
11 May Year 6 Gala Day
12 May Year 9 and 10 Touch Football
15 May HICES Netball
16 May Senior Girls European Handball
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17 May Senior Boys European Handball
19 May Opens Volleyball Competition
23 May HICES Cross Country - Junior School
5 June AICES Cross Country - Senior School
Representative Selection
Please see link below to the CIS calendar of events and HZSA calendar, each provides details of nomination dates and trial
information for both Junior and Senior School students. Please note that to nominate for these teams students should already be
playing at a high level in their chosen sport. All nominations have to come through the sport office to be approved.
CIS Calendar
https://www.aisnsw.edu.au/Services/CIS/Pages/SportEventsCalendar.aspx
HZSA Calendar
http://hzsa.com.au/
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Senior School
Guided Inquiry – Learning at Hills Grammar
On Monday morning this week, our K-12 teachers met together to hear my presentation on our Whole School Pedagogy entitled
‘Guided Inquiry - Learning at Hills Grammar’. The presentation included video interviews with students; video snapshots from
classrooms; and time to reflect on both theory and practice at Hills Grammar. Our Whole School Pedagogy is based on four key
principles: Guided Inquiry, Learner-Centred teaching; Assessment for Learning; and Differentiation. As the Principal has been
explaining to parents in the Crimson Thread discussions, Guided Inquiry is the headline, and we have taken the following definition
as key:
‘Guided Inquiry’ is here defined … to indicate the guiding role of the teacher in an inquiry-based pedagogy; so that the teacher is
not passive as the student learns, but is ‘active and reactive, to support, to prompt, to question and to continue to scaffold
learning through a range of critical teaching practices that foster an atmosphere of questioning and debate.’
Hague & Payton 2010, p.54.
On Wednesday, Senior School teachers spent the day working together as one faculty, with the task of transforming ‘Units of
Work’ into ‘Units of Inquiry’. The new template we use to organize our curriculum programs includes such features as identifying
the ‘Big Question’, the lines of inquiry, interdisciplinary connections, ‘Showcase’ opportunities, opportunities to share expertise
from our ‘Partners in Learning’, and identifying the key ‘thinking moves’ (Harvard thinking routines) that will assist our students to
move beyond content to deeper understanding. It’s been a great few days of professional learning and discussions, and I hope has
helped to energise the teaching staff with a new sense of common purpose. Working in a Pre K to 12 school provides this rare
opportunity: to see the learning journey from age 3 to 18; and to chart the course of learning with the Graduate Aim in mind from
the very beginning.
Geoff Gates | Director of Academic Programs Pre K to 12
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Four Secrets to Bringing out the Best in our Teens
On Monday 8 May from 7.00 - 8.30pm in the RJ Phipps Performance Centre PAFA Presents Four Secrets to Bringing out the Best
in our Teens with Dr Justin Coulson.
Dr Justin Coulson is one of Australia’s leading parenting experts and is a highly sought-after international speaker, author and
media presenter. He has been working closely with Hills Grammar to develop our Positive Education program. If you have a child
in the Senior School, don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the best-selling author of “21 Days to a Happier Family” and “9 Ways
to a Resilient Child”.
Please click here to learn more and download the flyer.
Jen Jarrett | Director of Student Wellbeing
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Maths Drop in and Peer Tutoring session
The next 2 weeks focus will be on NAPLAN preparation, please attend:
Maths Drop In
When: Tuesday to Thursday
Time: 3.30 to 4pm
Venue: M1
Peer Tutoring
When: Tue to Fri
Time: recess and lunch
Venue: Newtonian room
Praneetha Singh | Head of Mathematics
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Year 11 Body of Work Exhibition
Above are some examples of this year’s Preliminary Body of Work Exhibition 1. Students used the newspaper as a starting point
to engage with the conceptual frame work. They have expressed their personal view of an aspect of the newspaper that has
inspired, confronted or connected with them creatively. As part of the criteria of the task students have had to integrate the
newspaper within the artwork. The exhibition will be up for a number of weeks in the Booth Centre Foyer - please feel free to pop
in and view the works.
Kerry Blair | Head of Department - Visual Arts
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SchoolTV
The latest edition of SchoolTV explores the topic of Sexting amongst teenagers. Learn more at SchoolTV.
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Leadership in Action – Girls Night In – Women’s Cancer
Awareness Evening
On 31 March the student leadership team led by School Vice Captain, Zoe De Castro, hosted the annual Girls Night In event. The
event brought girls together from Years 6 to 12 with approximately 100 students in attendance. Guest speaker and staff member
Mrs Papenhuyzen spoke to the girls about her own battle with cancer and the girls also engaged in a range of activities
culminating in a movie. The event raised over $2500 towards research into women’s cancer.
Chris O'Neill | Head of Student Leadership
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Swimming
Congratulations to the students below who achieved outstanding results at the AICES Swimming carnival at the end of last
term. All have now qualified for the CIS swimming carnival next week. Best of luck to all students who are now competing at an
elite level across the state.
Results from the AICES swimming that qualified for CIS are:
Charlotte ChanGirls 17 50 Breast- 37.89- 2nd
Felicity ChanGirls 15 50 Back-32.92-1st
Girls 15 50 Breast-34.53-1st
Jarrod DeardenBoys 15 50 Fly- 28.38- 2nd
Boys 15 50 Free- 26.71- 3rd
Megan Johnson, Julia Tan, Felicity Chan, Georgia de Castro (image above)
Girls 15-16 4x50 Medley Relay- 2:21.09- 3rd
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Sports Updates
Cross Country
Notices have been sent to all parents regarding the upcoming cross country representative carnivals. Please note the details
below:
Senior School HZSA Carnival is on May 5 at the Sydney Equestrian Centre. Please confirm if your child requires transport.
Junior School HICES Carnival is on May 23 at Bowral. Please confirm if your child requires transport.
Both junior and senior students are invited to attend the training sessions run on Thursday mornings from 7.30am, students are to
meet Mr Donaldson at the MPH.
Volleyball
Further to the team success of competing in recent school competitions, a number of our girls have been recognised with
individual success by gaining selection into the CIS Volleyball team. Congratulations to Samantha Brown, Taylah Simmons and
Whitney Wales who have all been selected to now participate at the state championships. We look forward to the girls bringing
back their experiences to assist in the development of our teams.
Basketball
The 2016/17 basketball season has come to its conclusion and there have been a number of pleasing results with a few of our
teams appearing in the finals.
The U16 girls team finished their competition making it all the way to the semi-finals unfortunately they were unsuccessful in
their quest to make the Grand Final losing in a tight final. The girls have trained with plenty of enthusiasm during the season and
have been a credit to the way they have represented Hills Grammar I
The team members are Laura Murray, Emma Zou, Jessica Bailey, Scarlet Cascun-Valencic, Megan Johnson. Front row: Jessica
Tester and Shannon Tan. (Image above, left to right)
Coach: Mr Vial.
Premiers - Congratulations to the Under 16 Boys who were successful in going right through to the Grand Final and taking out
the premiership. These boys have worked hard all season and with a number of boys playing together over a few years the boys
have been rewarded for their consistent efforts. Well done to the following boys Aidan Lilley, Cai Lilley, Jess Johnston, Michael
Sherry, Riley Blakers, Farzeen Jahan and Andrew McEvoy and to their coach Mr Blakers.
Basketball Presentation - All players and parents are invited to attend the Basketball Presentation which will be held on Monday
May 15 at the RJ Phipps Performance Centre from 5.30pm.
Upcoming Events
3 May Year 5 HZSA sport begins
5 May - HZSA Cross Country - Senior School
5 May - Year 4 HZSA Cross Country begin
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11 May Year 6 Gala Day
12 May Year 9 and 10 Touch Football
15 May HICES Netball
16 May Senior Girls European Handball
17 May Senior Boys European Handball
19 May Opens Volleyball Competition
23 May HICES Cross Country - Junior School
5 June AICES Cross Country - Senior School
Representative Selection
Please see link below to the CIS calendar of events and HZSA calendar, each provides details of nomination dates and trial
information for both Junior and Senior School students. Please note that to nominate for these teams students should already be
playing at a high level in their chosen sport. All nominations have to come through the sport office to be approved.
CIS Calendar
https://www.aisnsw.edu.au/Services/CIS/Pages/SportEventsCalendar.aspx
HZSA Calendar
http://hzsa.com.au/
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Year 8 Harmony Day
Recently Year 8 students were given the task to plan and implement an activity or event in groups to raise awareness and
communicate the importance of cultural diversity through Harmony Day which was held on 21 March. It was a great success and
students contributed to building a more harmonious community for all of us. This celebration of diversity, understanding and
acceptance affords students the opportunity to help share knowledge of different cultures across the school. Some of the
activities and events consisted of food stalls, sporting matches, short film festival, teaching the junior/ECEC students, gaming club
and decorating house areas.
Students developed skills and values that promote positive, inclusive relationships along with developing their skills in teamwork,
planning and implementing an event. All students participated in the activities enthusiastically and respectfully in accordance with
our school’s values. Well done to all our students who demonstrated respect and service as they together celebrated each and
everyone’s individual differences.
Samantha Buzzelli | PDHPE Teacher
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English is Lit: The Power of the Teenage Voice
Throughout Term 1 both Years 7 and 9 engaged in a study of speech craft and the way composers use language to voice and
communicate their concerns. Whilst Year 7 focused on Digital Communication, Year 9 examined voiceless minority groups.
The learning intention for both year groups was to develop key persuasive skills in order to compose personalised and engaging
speeches. A part of that process included learning about effective persuasive language, such as high modality words and rhetorical
devices.
The English Department was pleased with the students’ insight and passionate application to their research. Across all classes,
students researched real-world issues, which included domestic violence, mental health, body image and political oppression.
Maddy Rice was one particular student who was passionate about raising awareness for domestic violence. She thoroughly
researched her chosen issue and communicated that, “Domestic violence is a problem that can be helped. Awareness is one of the
most effective ways to make a difference. Raising awareness for the younger people helps to stop the problem where it starts. If
people know about the problem and how to recognise it, they will be able to help the victim.” Maddy was able to keep her
audience engaged through effective use of language and clear voice projection.
Each student has a unique voice, and independent research tasks like these, aim to enrich student learning by catering for their
individual interests. It was clear that each student wanted the voices of their chosen minority groups to be heard. Another example
included Mitchell Bennett’s from Year Nine who spoke about “The voices of our indigenous people” and the “need to be heard
because of years of mistreatment by the government.” Mitchell’s work included evidence of comprehensive research and
purposeful language choices.
The English department is proud of the students’ achievements and aims to continue to contribute to the extraordinary education
of young Hills Grammarians in their journey to find their voices.
Felicity Scott | English Teacher
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English Drop In Roster
Download the English Drop In Roster for Years 7-9 for Term 2
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HICES Music Festival and Jazz Academy
In 2017, the HICES Music Festival Years 5-8 and Jazz Academy Years 9-12 will be held from Sunday 13 to Wednesday 16 August
at the Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops. The concerts for the respective Festivals will be held at Sydney Town Hall (Years
5-8) and St Andrew’s Cathedral School (Jazz Academy). The event commences on Sunday evening with over 350 students from
HICES schools coming together for 3 days of music making culminating in the Festival Concerts on Wednesday 16 August. In
previous years, Hills Grammar has had an enthusiastic group of participants placed in each of the ensembles represented at the
Festival. This exciting opportunity is open to students currently involved in a co-curricular music ensemble upon recommendation
from their respective ensemble conductor, and upon successful placement after receipt of all applications. Invitations will be sent
to parents/carers in the near future, so please do look out for this outstanding opportunity to make music with like-minded
students from across New South Wales. Audition details will also be available for students wishing to be involved in the Jazz
Academy.
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Languages
Language Perfect Subscription
All French and Japanese students and students in Years 9 and 10 Latin, should have a Language Perfect Account which they were
asked to purchase from the booklist last year.
If the account has been deactivated in the last month, this indicates there was no payment made. If this is the case,
parents/guardians can pay for the subscription to be activated here.
Language Perfect should be being used by all language students for at least 10 minutes a day to support the retention of
vocabulary.
Japan Tour 2017 Update
We have one term to prepare for our big trip to Japan. Lunchtime preparation sessions will start for all participants in Term 2
Week 2 (Monday) and then every Tuesday from Weeks 3-9. It is very important that students attend these sessions as we will be
discussing various elements of the tour including; safety, sister school visit, packing etc. A letter will go out to parents/guardians
early next week in regards to the final evening meeting.
Belinda gerometta | Head of Department - Languages
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Community
Relay for Life
We have recently entered a team called Hills Grammar in the Hills 2017 Relay For Life to make a difference in the fight against
cancer.
And the school would love you to join our team for a fantastic 24 hours of fun and festivities on Saturday 20 May 2017 at Castle
Hill Showground, Castle Hill.
To join the team, simply head to the team page via this link (and click on ‘join our team’).
Relay For Life is a relay-style event where teams challenge themselves to walk continuously around a track and camp overnight.
You can stay for the whole event, do one shift on the track or just come along and enjoy the entertainment, prizes and ceremonies
that make Relay For Life such an unforgettable experience.
For more information about the Hills 2017 Relay, click here.
I hope you’ll join me for an incredible night as we walk together to end cancer.
If you have any questions, please contact the school on 96542111.
Yass Sidaros | Director of Co-curricular Programs Pre K - 12
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Sympathies
We extend our sympathy and heartfelt support to:
The Hirani family (Alish – Year 1) on the passing of his Grandfather
The Tang family (Matthew – Year 12, Jeffrey – Year 10) on the passing of their Grandfather.
Mrs Janelle Eastwood (Canteen Manager) on the recent passing of her husband Mark.
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Class Parents
Year 8 held a wonderful family end of term dinner at The Fiddler. Some pictures of this event can be seen above.
This evening, Year 12 will hold a parents dinner at a local Dural restaurant and we look forward to hearing about that in the next
newsletter together with the many social engagements currently being planned for Term 2 by our other year groups.
Please join us at our next Class Parent meeting, Thursday 18 May from 8:45am in the Pavilion. The main focus of this meeting will
be the 22 October Spring Fair. Lisl Dobson our Fair Coordinator will be updating everyone about the Fair and it will be a chance to
chat with your year group coordinator/s about how you can make a contribution to this very exciting event in the Hills Grammar
calendar. All members of the Hills Grammar community are invited to attend. Please drop Cate Redman a quick email for catering
purposes [email protected]
The next Class Parent Function is the Year 12 Dinner.
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Spring Fair: The Countdown is On
We have only 6 months left until the big day and the next few months are packed with activities. Remember to LIKE our Facebook
page and follow us on Instagram to get all the latest news.
Our Spring Fair webpage is now live and we will update this regularly with information on what we need. You can find the link
from the community tab on the school website.
Please keep an eye out for year group specific news that will be sent to all families on how you can get involved.
We will need a lot more volunteers to help out with logistics on the day too. More information on the specific areas help is
needed will be provided soon.
We are currently still looking for some fabulous Raffle Prizes, so if you can provide or have access to any contacts that are able to
assist us with Holiday packages, Large Appliances (ie TV’s, Gaming systems, Power tools etc) please let us know.
If you would like more details on anything Spring Fair related, please contact our Spring Fair Co-ordinator Lisl
Dobson [email protected]
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Mother's Day
Online orders are now open for PAFA's Mother's Day stall which will be held on Thursday 11 May for K-Year 6. ECEC students
will receive their gift dependent on what days they attend. Spoil the special ladies in your life with a range of 10 different gift bags
to choose from. Examples of these exciting packs are on display in the uniform shop. A limited number of Grandma/Nan themed
bags will also be available. Please note that there will be no cash sales on the day and gifts can be paid for by credit card or Paypal
on our online order form. A lunchtime stall for Years 7 - 12 will be held on Friday 12 May while stocks last. Click here to go to the
payments page.
Dana Coleman | PAFA President
Finola Reay | PAFA Secretary
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Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
PAFA is hosting an ABMT on Thursday 25 May in the Hills Grammar Pavilion from 8:45am and have set a target to raise $500 for
the Cancer Council. Donations can be made on the day and are tax deductible. If you prefer to donate online, please click here.
Breast screen will be presenting an informative talk on the day.
So please save the date and help to make this the biggest and best ABMT yet. Please feel free to bring family/friends.
For any questions please contact Renu McVay [email protected]
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PAFA Updates
The Bliss Ball Challenge was a highly successful community event organised by the Engagement Sub-Committee. Thanks to Jodi
Ansell for the inspiring idea and all the enthusiastic mums that contributed some wonderful recipes to the tasting session.
There were 20 keen attendees with seven enthusiastic chefs sharing some inspiring Bliss Balls ranging from Nut Free to Gluten
Free and of course ones filled with wholesome delights.
The session kicked off with a talk on the nutritional value of creating these tasty treats for our children by Niru Disphande. The
chefs then got to work whipping up some amazing treats for us to sample.
You can find some the delicious healthy treats in the recipes here.
Watch this space for the next event organised by the Engagement Sub-Committee.
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 16 May at 7.00pm in the Learning Lounge in Nexus. Everyone is welcome to come
along. All funds raised by PAFA during 2017 will go towards the establishment of the Learners Walk, an exciting innovative
facility for our students and teachers.
We are pleased to announce that New PAFA Supporter Wear (Polo Shirt $36.95 and Jacket $89.95) will be available to purchase
from the Uniform Shop from next week.
Dana Coleman | PAFA President
Finola Reay | PAFA Secretary
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Accounts Reminder
Kindly note that Term 2 2017 fees are due today – 28 April 2017.
The Accounts Department
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