Weekly
B UL L ETI N
Issue No. 3
HILLCREST
PREPARATORY SCHOOL
EARLY YEARS
5th May 2017
PREPARATORY
Mrs. Gabrielle Maina
Head Teacher
0735 888 059
[email protected]
Ms. Thelma Mohamed
Deputy Head
0702 909 058
[email protected]
EARLY YEARS
Mrs. Jenna Rawlings
Head Teacher 0733 255 442
[email protected]
School Contacts
020 8067783/4
020 807 0827
0724 256 173
0736 256 173
Headteacher’s message
Dear Parents,
We have a very short but busy week, with our runners doing exceptionally well at Kenton College
Cross Country Warm up. Congratulations to Imran who came first in his division plus there were
lots of other strong results as per below. Today, our children amazed us with their entries for our
annual Invention Convention, with the external judges commending all the interesting entries.
Tomorrow morning we have the Common Entrance revision sessions at Hillcrest Secondary from
08:30 to 12:35 - we are looking at putting on extra sessions for those Year 8s unable to attend next
Saturday’s session due to competing at Turi. Please do not forget that we have school photos the
whole of next week. The children need to be dressed smartly the whole week with their full school
uniform.
On Thursday we will be taking part in the Brookhouse choir festival and on Friday, our team of
selected runners will be leaving for the IAPS cross country event at St Andrew’s Turi. We are in the
exiting final stages of finalising our plans for the outdoor classrooms and a new Prep playground,
which will be ready for next year. I will share plans once they are complete.
Have a lovely weekend and see you all on Monday.
Best regards,
Mrs Gabrielle Maina
Head Teacher, Preparatory School
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Hillcrest Early Years Head Teacher’s Message
Dear Parents,
This week the children continued to develop their learning within their current projects. Play Group
had a wonderful ‘Wild Animals’ themed week, during which they visited Mamba Village to see
some real crocodiles! Nursery 1 have been learning all about where eggs come from and about
the different birds you will find on a farm. Nursery 2 have been thinking abou pulleys in relation to
the nursery rhyme Jack and Jill. Reception class were learning about bees and how honey is made
whilst Year 1 were focusing on the leopard.
Reminders for next week:
Monday 8th May - Reception trip to the Kenya Bee Association
Tuesday 9th May - HEY photographs (please wear proper uniform)
Thursday 11th May - Nursery 2 trip to Que Pasa for pizza making
Friday 12th May - Year 1 friendly football match at Nairobi Academy
Next week we will be talking to the Year 1 children about the transition into Hillcrest Prep and
beginning to roll out activities to help them feel confident about the move. A letter outlining
these activities will be sent home to Year 1 parents on Monday and will also contain details of the
upcoming
HEY into Prep Transition Meeting.
We are excited about our next Super Saturday on 20th May which will be story themed. We will
be joined by Zippy Okoth, a contemporary Kenyan storyteller who, together with her team, will
be performing a story for children and parents, followed by a parent workshop on how to make
storytimes more creative and interactive. We look forward to seeing you and your friends there!
Please remember to send weather appropriate clothing so that the rain doesn’t ruin our fun!
Jenna Rawlings
Head Teacher Early Years
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Junior School News
Year 2 visited The Giraffe Centre where they fed these amazing creatures. The visit linked well with their
creative writing (settings) and also allowed an opportunity for story sequencing.
Ms Jan Grimmer
Year 2 English
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Seed Dispersal
Year 2 children enjoyed collecting seeds in the school compound after which they categorised them by how
they are dispersed.Their observation skills and knowledge about different features of the seeds enabled
them to discover that we are surrounded by various types of plants whose seeds are dispersed by water,
wind, animals and explosion. The climax of the lesson was mounting the seeds on paper and then making
models of them using plasticine. The children are looking forward to our next Science lesson about growing
plants hydroponically.
Ms Polly Maina
Year 2 Science
A lot has happened in Junior School this week. Most children participated in this year’s Invention
Convention and it was great to see all the ideas that came forth from this. Congratulations to the
winners, well done to all the children and thank you parents for supporting them in this.
The morning athletics training is paying off. This Wednesday some Junior School children
participated in the Kenton Cross Country where they came fifth in the Under 9 category. Great
job to all our athletes! Next Friday some of them will participate in the St. Andrews, Turi Cross
Country. We wish them all the best.
This coming week we will have school photos being taken by professional schools photographer
Mr Jonathan Cooke. All children must come to school smartly dressed in their full school uniform
every day. Those who have morning training or games lessons should pack their uniform in their
bags.
Enjoy the weekend.
Ms Mary Muchangi
Head of Junior School
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Senior School News
Senior school has had a busy week with sport and STEM activities. In line with our vision and ethos this
week inspired each child to achieve personal excellence as a valuable member of our global community.
The children displayed their individual talents, as well as mutual respect and team spirit while the teachers
stimulated their curiosity, and encouraged personal determination and perseverance to achieve both in
the Kenton cross country and the Hillcrest Invention Convention. It was a pleasure to see the children
showcase their critical thinking and problem solving skills. I am very proud of our young inventors and must
acknowledge that the ideas were brilliant, well executed and nicely presented. Congratulations to all the
winners.
Next week we will have school photos taken by professional schools photographer Mr. Jonathan Cook.
The children must come to school smartly dressed in their full school uniform every day. Those who have
morning training or games lesson should pack their uniform in their bags.
Have a good weekend.
Semper Prospice
Surbhi S. Vashisht
Head of Senior School
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Alumni News
SILVIA CASSINI – Class of 1986 “Born in Kenya and educated at Oxford
University, artist and playwright Silvia Cassini attributes her recent
success with her New York play “A man like ….” and interest in acting
and directing to her inspiring English and Drama teachers at Hillcrest
Secondary School. “These inspiring individuals not only introduced us
to Shakespeare, Chaucer, Miller but taught us HOW to read them. This
was a priceless gift, and I still return to the classical greats to draw
inspiration from the sheer power of the language and the timeless
relevance of the themes and characters.” Silvia’s most recent play ‘A
Man Like You’ is currently touring Africa following a successful New
York launch.
Jackie Guest
Alumni Coordinator
Message from the School Nurse
Lost Property
Parents please check through all your children’s clothes at home - we are missing a number of clearly
marked pieces of uniform which may have been taken home by accident - please return everything to the
Sick Bay. We have large numbers of unnamed fleeces, uniform, green PE shirts, water bottles, sport shoes
and pencil cases which have not been claimed. Please come and check with me at the sick bay.
I would also like to remind you to label your child’s items for easy identification. We would like to have an
update of your child’s medical information. I have noted a few changes on allergies when children return
their trip consent forms, which we have no record of.
Kindly keep updating us on any medical information you feel we need to know. Attached with this bulletin is
a medical form that you can print off, fill in then return to school.
Thank you.
Victoria Waithira
Early Years & Prep Nurse
[email protected]
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Sports & Activities News
Sports News
CROSS COUNTRY
Kenton Cross Country Results
Under 13 Boys shared 1st position with Peponi
Under 13 Girls: 2nd Position
Under 11 Boys: 5th Position
Under 11 Girls: 3rd Position
Under 9 Boys: 5th Position
Under 9 Girls: 5th Position
Congratulations to Imran for
winning the U13 boys Kenton
Cross country race and to James
Gachago who had a podium finish
at 3rd position overall.
MVR (Most valuable Runners)
Under 13
Imran: 1st Position
Special recognition to:
James Gachago: 3rd Position
Raul Vargas: 5th Position
Gil Harel: 7th Position
Under 13 Girls
Under Girls 11
Hannah: 4th Position.
Saskia: 9th Position
Special recognition to:
Shae McIntyre: 11th Position
Maya Melesi: 12th Position
Sara Torres: 14th Position
Special recognition to:
Maya Shingles: 16th Position
Maya Williams: 18th Position
Talya Harel: 19th Position
Arushey Dubey: 22nd Position
Pamela Weber: 23rd Position
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Under 11 Boys
Quinten: 17th Position
Special mention to the Under 9s
Girls - Yasmine, Yelen, Mueni, Natasha, Kika, Rita, Njoki, Grace
Boys - Niko, Mutuma, Neo, Ethan, Kagucii, Marcus
Golf
Congratulations go to Youhan who participated in the Junior Golf Competition at Karen Country Club in the
6-9 Years category playing as a non handicap for 6 holes. He finished in the top 10 out of 70 participants.
Very well done.
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Football
Shin Pads - These are compulsory at all levels and age groups.Morning training will begin on week 5 for all
age-groups in the place of cross-country. Every Monday and Wednesday.
Netball
Matches are starting this week against Brookhouse. All players are encouraged to work hard during their
free time and practise their passing and shooting skills. Nails are to be kept short at all times. Jewellery
and watches are discouraged and if worn for religious reasons, should be taped during play for health and
safety. Hair should be tied back at all times- as is our uniform policy.
Rugby
Kindly make sure that your child carries a gum guard and suitable boots with good grip. Rugby Matches
begin next week. All players are encouraged to be of good courage and to be focused and diligent in
training.
Swimming
Mornings (Tuesday and Thursday) and Evenings (Monday and Wednesday) trainings have also began. Kindly
take advantage of these extra lessons and bring your child.
Hockey Fridays
Morning sessions will begin in Week 5
ECA/Trips News
Ayman Fazal represented Hillcrest at The IAPS Chess Tournament held at Braeburn School last Saturday.
He represented the school in the U9 Category where he won two out of the four matches he played. If you
would like your child to be considered for future Chess tournaments, kindly sign them up for the new Chess
Club where they will have to complete 10 sessions before being considered for any competition.
Paid activities are running into their second week. Kindly ensure that if your child has signed up for an
activity, payment has been sent in through the Form Tutor or at Front Desk. Some of the new activities this
term include Chess Club,Knitty Gritty (knitting, beadwork, crocheting, craft work and mat making), paper
quilling (Quilling or paper filigree is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled,
shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs.) and the Benjamin Akimba Rugby Academy.
There will be a fun family charity cycling event, organised by some of our South African parents, on the
13th of May at the Ng’ong Road Forest Sanctuary. It is called The Bollore SAWA Cycle, Pedal for a Child’s
Education. All proceeds go to sponsor the feeding and education of children of ages 4 to 7 that live around
the Mau Forest area through Yasha Ministries.
Registration will be done on the day from 7:00am with KES.200/- as the entry fee. Additional costs are as
follows:
• ● Advanced cyclists (36km) at KES.3000/• ● Family Cycling/walking race (4Kms) at KES.1500/- for one adult and child.(KES.500/• for each additional child).
• ● Individual Cyclists/Walkers (4Kms) at KES.2000/• ● Junior team at KES.4000/- (4 under 18s)
• ● Students at KES. 500/The races start at 8:00am.
Barbara Simiyu/Jackie Mwangi
ECA Co-ordinators
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Dates for your diary:
WEEK 4
School Photos all week
Mon 8 May
U7 mixed Football A & B, C vs Brookhouse &
BGR - 09:00 @ Brookhouse
Tue 9 May
U11A & B Netball (H) vs Brookhouse 14:00
U11A Rugby (A) vs Brookhouse 14:30
Wed 10 May
U13 Netball A&B (H) vs Brookhouse 14:00
U13 15 aside (A) 7aside B’s vs Brookhouse 14:30
WEEK 5
Mon 15 May
Year 4 Trip to Ol Pejeta
Mental Maths Common Entrance Examinations
Tue 16 May
French Common Entrance Listening Examinations
U11A & B Netball (H) vs Peponi House 14:30
U11A Rugby (A) vs Peponi House 14:30
Wed 17 May
Year 4 return from Ol Pejeta 1500Hrs
U13 A,B,C Netball vs Peponi (H) 1430Hrs
Hillcrest Rugby Festival U13
Year 5 Trip to Ol Pejeta
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Thur 11 May
U9 Rugby (H) vs Brookhouse 14:30
U9 A&B Netball (A) vs Brookhouse 14:00
Brookhouse Choir Festival 08:45 - 12:00
Fri 12 May
Cross Country team leaves for St Andrew’s Turi
Sat 13 May
IAPS Cross Country, St Andrew’s Turi
SAWA Charity Cycling event Ngong Forest
Common Entrance Revision Morning at HSS 08:30 to
12:35
Thu 18 May
U9 A&B Rugby (H) vs Peponi 1430Hrs
U9 A&B Netball () vs Peponi 1430Hrs
Year 7 Geography Pre Project Trip
Fri 19 May
French Common Entrance Speaking Examinations
Year 5 return from Ol Pejeta 1500Hrs
U7 Football Tournament @ 09:00
U9/U11/U13 football vs St Christophers & Gems (H)
Sat 20 May
HEY Super Saturday Series: Storytelling (Suitable for
HEY & Junior School)
Peponi House Chamber Music Festival
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