Newsletter Number 10 • Wednesday 23rd June 2021

From the Principal

I am excited to announce that two weeks ago we held our first School Foundation Board meeting. In 2020 the School Board determined that we would establish a School Foundation and so we set about writing a Constitution for this new entity that was ratified in March this year.

A Foundation Board has been put together that consists of seven members made up of current parents, Life Members, an Old Scholar, School management and a representative from our School Board.

A School Foundation is a charitable organisation and a separate entity from the school.  Usually a School Foundation is registered for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status so that donations are tax-deductible.  A School Foundation, being a separate entity has its own Constitution (rules for governing) and its own Board of governance. A School Foundation can provide the school with a pool of funds that it can use to support its Vision, Mission and growth moving forward.  It can contribute towards significant resources for the benefit of the school community.

A School Foundation can also connect generations of old scholars, parents, staff and friends and can make a difference to the lives of current and future students.

The HMS Foundation Board will be working hard over the next six months to undertake all of the necessary requirements needed for a new entity in addition to planning a marketing and communication strategy along with a Strategic Plan.  The hope is to launch the School Foundation early in 2022.

The HMS Foundation Board will keep our school community updated with their progress throughout this year.  This exciting new venture will provide endless opportunities for our school community and can contribute to the betterment of the education and services provided to the students and the staff of the School in the future.

Cathy France

Principal

Farewell Janine

It is with sadness that I announce to the school community that one of our longest serving staff members, Janine Moses will be retiring from her position as Infant Program coordinator at the end of this term.  Janine has worked in the school for 23½ years.  Over the years she has worked with hundreds of families both in our Preschool and Infant Program community.  Janine is a valued and loved member of our staff team and we thank her for her passion for the Infant Program and for being that welcoming and kind person who has often been the first contact point for many families who start in the school. 

We greatly appreciate the dedication she has shown to our school over the years.  Janine has contributed to our school in so many ways over the years and will be sorely missed by staff, students and parents. We know you will all join us in wishing Janine happiness and good health as she transitions into her retirement. 

What is it about the school that has made you want to stay and work here for so long?

A true belief in the Montessori philosophy and working with like-minded people has made working at HMS a truly fulfilling experience. I have loved working with children and not only has it been a privilege to be a part of their education I feel that I have been a part of something that has lasting value. I would not have wanted to work anywhere else.

What is a favourite memory that you have from your time here? 

I have many lovely memories that will stay with me always and a few stand outs are:

Seeing my children flourish during their time at HMS.

Going on excursions, helping with electives and taking part in a Cycle 3 camp.

Bonfires in the parking lot back in the good old days and the Stangate House Taste of Summer events. 

Having old scholars, who I knew in their student days, return to the school in the Infant Program with their children has been very special.

What will you miss about The Hills Montessori School?   

Mostly I will miss being a part of the incredible HMS team. I will also miss all aspects of the Infant Program. The calmness of the classroom and the enthusiasm of the children and the connections that I have made with many families has been uplifting and inspiring. 

What will you do in your retirement?  

Travelling within Australia is high on my agenda as is spending time with the grandchildren. I would like to take up yoga and read more. 

Parting Words

I wish the staff and the school community all the very best. I think HMS is a remarkable school and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work in a job that I have loved.

Term 3 staffing

We are pleased to announce that Heidi Keathner will be taking over the Infant Program Coordinator position as of Term 3 2021. We congratulate Heidi on her appointment and we look forward to her putting her own 'stamp' on the program and continuing the wonderful work that Janine has been doing for so many years.


Cycle News

Infant Program

We have been exploring the colour purple in many different ways in recent weeks and have been able to combine colour and taste in one activity.  Hawk is using a manual blender with berries and oat milk to make a purple drink.  He has spooned the berries into the blender, used dexterity and strength to make the blender work and poured the liquid into a glass. Hawk has employed many skills to make his drink.

Cycle 1 Preschool

Rainy, wintry days are a wonderful time for children to do handcrafts indoors. Sewing is one of those rainy-day activities that catches on quickly. Preschool children have spent lots of time practicing fine motor skills in the various curriculum areas (especially Practical Life). Children also develop concentration while they are following a certain sequence to make a stitch or sew a button. Hand-eye coordination is also developed especially when threading the needle. They stick the needle in the pincushion, push the thread through the eye of the needle, and then pull it through.

Piper, Chloe, and Albie loved the big sewing box. While Albie decided to sew a button on a patterned fabric, Chloe and Piper made their own design on a burlap cloth. They used different Metal Insets to create their designs. They placed their piece of burlap onto the embroidery hoop and started their top stitching on the lines. They followed the simple steps of “in and pull, out and pull”!

 The sweet conversations heard during this wonderful handcraft activity makes it a special social activity. Chloe screamed “I am tired, but I don’t want to stop!” Piper agreed adding, “We are artists because sewing is art too”.

Cycle 1 Primary

Science has been an exciting time for Cycle 1 students this term. They have been observing, exploring, experimenting and creating with their growing knowledge of simple machines and how they work. They have discovered that they are in many everyday objects and how much easier things can be with the help of a simple machine. Jack said “Do you know that a car has wheel and axels just like a ferris wheel. The wheels spin around the axels to let it move”. Kai thought that inclined planes make it harder for things to move up but easier for them to go down. Emilio said “I can move things from one place to another fairly easily when I use a lever”. Scarlett shared  that she used a pulley to lift up some very heavy things, “I could lift up a whole basket of books and a big bucket of rocks with our pulley”.

Some of the Cycle 1 children studied the different simple machines that could be used on a Mars Rover. They then had such fun designing, compiling and testing out their very own Rovers.

Cycle 2

During the month of May, our class collected data on the weather in Aldgate. Each day we recorded features including temperature, wind, cloudiness, precipitation and UV on to large data displays. Following this, the students have begun individually collating specific data into their own picture graphs and column graphs.

Both classes have been participating in yoga lessons with Tammy from Blooming Hearts. Her classes are thoughtfully prepared to include movement through poses and co-operative games, creativity, mindfulness, gratitude, self-calming techniques through relaxation and breathing exercises and fun.

At the sharing assembly, some of the students shared posters they had created which represented their understanding of the landscape, flora and fauna important to the Peramangk people.

Cycle 2 Photos

Cycle 3

Suzie and Sam’s Cycle 3 class have been busy working on their independent research projects. We have also been focusing on writing to entertain and writing to persuade. Many of the recent advertisements student’s created have been both persuasive and entertaining. In Math we are focusing on fractions and decimals. A highlight of the week is our Novel Study Groups where we are reading a novel in small groups. Together we unpack the story and work on tasks related to the book. This term in science the class has been investigating properties of different materials. The class has also been investigating chemical changes. They are carrying out experiments and making observations on changes that are reversible or irreversible. The younger students in the cycle enjoyed a messy experiment making Lava Lamps (pictured). [Lava lamp - oil & Water]. The older students in the cycle are carrying out an initial investigation that is part of their larger STEM challenge that involves making a Crystal Castle.

Cycle 4

Our Cycle 4 students in the Adolescent Program are presenting their annual Coffeehouse Cabaret Festival this week. We’re looking forward to three fantastic nights of theatre. Students supervise all aspects of the performance including front of house and stage management as well as set, lighting and costume design. In addition to the performance component, guests are treated to nibbles and treats. ‘Chookas’ to all those involved with the performances on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week!  Limited tickets are still available for Thursday night.

Cycle 4 Cabaret Rehearsal photos

PE with Attila

This term students have been learning about team sports with a focus on soccer and basketball. Students from the Preschool through to Cycle 3 have explored how to move with the ball, pass to teammates and shoot at goal.

We were lucky enough to have Angus and Brian, both Cycle 3 parents, come in a run a number of PE sessions with the Cycle 3 classes. Angus ran 5 weeks of soccer and Brian ran 2 weeks of basketball. Their time and expertise were much appreciated.

We also had Mitchell from SANFL run a footy clinic with Cycles 1, 2 and 3. He introduced students to the basics of footy and shared information on local Auskick opportunities. https://play.afl/auskick

Cycle 4 students participated in 4 weeks of footy. We enjoyed using the new footy goals at Wairoa and getting stuck into footy games.

We had one successful Walk or Run to School with the help of Sheena taking the runners and numerous other parents joining in with the walk.

The SAPSASA Cross Country Run was held this term. Owen from Cycle 3 and Penny from Cycle 4 participated in the event and both of them finished in the top 2 for their age brackets in the Hills.

PE photos

Board Communique

Our last board meeting started with the election of the executive members with Jade Crathern, Iain Whitson and Josh Ross all being re-elected for the upcoming year. Cathy presented the ACNC Governance standards for not-for-profit entities as part of our continuing Board Education program and Nicki Stewart updated us on the first Foundation Board meeting. 

Jade Crathern

Board President

Board Executive Positions

Congratulations to the following school board members who will hold these Executive positions for the next 12 months: 

President of the Board:  Jade Crathern

Vice President:               Iain Whitson

Treasurer:                      Joshua Ross  

Cultural Connection Zone

The Cultural Connection Zone is a regular spot in the Newsletter highlighting cultural events & information provided by the Cultural Understanding (staff) committee. See items below.

NAIDOC Week 2021

NAIDOC Week 2021 will be held from 4-11 July.  The theme for 2021 is ‘Heal Country!’ and highlights the way Country is fundamental to the identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and must be protected. 

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to appreciate Australia’s heritage, listen and learn from the culture and values of First Nations people, and support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. 

As NAIDOC Week coincides with the first week of the school holidays, it is a great time to attend a NAIDOC Week event.  Follow the links below to learn more about some events that will be taking place in Adelaide.

Tuesday 6th July

Kaurna Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony in Rundle Mall (followed by various activities and entertainment).  

https://explore.cityofadelaide.com.au/whats-on/naidoc-in-the-mall-1/

Friday 9th July

NAIDOC March and Family Fun Day

https://naidocsa.com.au/events/naidoc-sa-family-day.html

Refugee Week

This week is Refugee Week.

Below are some dates of events that may be of interest.

We Are One

23 Jun 2021 at 1:00 PM

43A Le Hunte St, Kilburn, SA 5084

2021 Ara and Hawke Centre Conversation

24 Jun 2021 at 6:00 PM

Hawke Building 55 North Terrace UniSA City West campus,

Adelaide, SA 5000

Scattered People: Adelaide Screening

25 Jun 2021 at 7:00 PM

Welcoming Centre 100 Drayton Street, Bowden, SA 5007


Vacation Care – Yultiwirra

Vacation Care program will be operating each day during the coming holidays from 7.30am to 6pm.  The program will run from Monday 5th July– Monday 26th July.  Please note that term 3 starts on Tuesday 27th July due to the pupil free day.  The Vacation Care program has been sent home this week.

If you are interested in your child attending Vacation Care please complete the booking form ASAP and hand into the office or directly to Roxy.   We are currently trying to finalise staffing arrangements.

Term 3 Sausage Sizzle

A note was sent home last week in preparation for our Term 3 Sausage Sizzle in the 1st week (Friday 30th July).  Orders must be in by the last day of THIS term.  Class Parent Reps are organising & hosting this special lunch for the students to celebrate the beginning of Term 3!

Sharing Assembly - Cycles 3 & 4

We wish to invite all parents/caregivers to our next sharing assembly on Thursday 1st July 9.30am to be held at Yultiwirra campus, where Cycles 3 & 4 students have the opportunity to share their work with the rest of the school.  

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

Community news

Diary Dates

Term 2 2021

Tuesday 22nd June - Thursday 24th June

Cycle 4 Coffeehouse Cabaret

Sunday 27th June

Working Bee 10am - 12 noon

Tuesday 29th June

Special combined Finance and I&PC meeting 6.00pm

Thursday 1st July

Sharing Assembly - Cycle 3 & Cycle 4 - 9.30am

Friday 2nd July

Term 2 ends - 2pm finish

Monday 5th July - Monday 26th July

Vacation Care

Monday 26th July

Pupil Free Day


Tuesday 27th July

Term 3 Begins

Finance Meeting 6.00pm

Board meeting 7.30pm

Wednesday 28th July

Policy meeting 4.00pm

Thursday 29th July 

WHS meeting 4.00pm

Friday 30th July

Fundraising meeting 9.15am

Yultiwirra Sausage Sizzle

Tuesday 3rd August

Sharing Assembly - Preschool, Cycle 1 & Cycle 3 - 9.30am

Marketing meeting 4.00pm

Sunday 8th August

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle 8am - 4.30pm

“The child does not develop the power to walk upright

by waiting for it, but by walking.”

Maria Montessori

2021 TERM DATES

Term 1:  27 January – 9 April
Term 2: 28 April – 2 July
Term 3: 27 July – 24 September
Term 4: 12 October – 8 December