One of the most exciting things about Cycle 3 is our graduate program, during which the year 6 students each have a graduate week. Throughout this week they present their “me bag” and a photo display to the class, organise a guest speaker to come in and speak, and organise a graduate activity to do with their peers. Joash, one of the graduates in Suzie and Sam’s class recently organised an excursion to beyond bouldering for his graduate activity. He has written about the experience of this below!  

In Week 3 Term 4, Suzie and Sam’s class went bouldering as part of my graduate activity. 

Bouldering is the simplest form of rock climbing, where you climb short but difficult problems (routes). The focus is on power and technique rather than endurance. Bouldering doesn't take you too high off the ground, as you do not use a tether or a rope. Most routes aren't more than 12 -15 feet tall (approx. 3.6-4.5m).  

While our class was there, we could climb whatever they wanted, orange tagged climbs being the easiest (v0) and black tags being the hardest (v7). Beyond Bouldering describe orange tags as “beginner” and they describe black tags as “ludicrous”. There was also an instructor that supervised us and helped us top the boulders. 

Overall, our class was very well behaved and we really enjoyed the experience of bouldering. 

By Joash.

Nurturing Individualism in Cycle 4

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you” (Dr. Seuss).

And so it was seen, the Cycle 4 students gleamed, watching their hard work take on the Big Screen—The International Youth Silent Film Festival, held at the Capri, hosted our young Film Makers, guides ‘n families. The organ did play, our seats we did take, the curtains were drawn, the chatter did break, Shh! Crackle, shlurrrp. The Devil’s Lipstick (Daisy Barton) a vengeful tale, a chiller indeed; a love shrouded in secrecy but death awaits He. And, Hole Again (Marley Boyce) an Avant-garde thriller sure to deliver through and down to your liver a cold shiver.

Though the stars shone bright that night, they were not the only twinkles to be seen in the sky. For Sunday gone by, spirits were high. One and a half terms prepping, for the competition of our lives. The First Lego League: Challenge had set the . . . well . . . challenge. So we built, we thought, we programmed, we thought, we developed, we refined, we thought again. Until sitting there at 4 inches tall the robot from our dreams programmed for the scene. An App was created to solve the problem stated, the boys were elated! We all knew our stations, we all took our places, and so . . . 3. . . 2 . . . 1 . . . LEGO! Great work on the day Lucas, Michael, Harry, Jack S., Carl, Tadgh, Caeleb and Aiden.

But there, glistening in the absence of moonlight shone 6 more stars. And lest we neglect their participation in a series of Maths tests. Tests so testy they would not soon forget. The Kangourou Sans Frontieres, Computer and Algorithmic Thinking, and the Australian Maths Competitions was their decision and like nuclear fusion they funneled their energy to outstanding conclusions! Well done to Charlotte, Macy, Michael, Eamon, Lucas and Jack. C. earning Credits, Distinctions and even a HD!

And so it was proved, that for our students it’s true, that no-one alive is youer than you!

 

I invite you to join in celebrating the shortlisting of some Cycle 4 students' National Speech Award entry by clicking on the link to NAILA  and voting. (the entries are not subtitled as it is mostly expected that voters are Indonesian speakers, however, we ask you to let the entries speak to you with their vivacity).

The Hills Montessori School students have entered this competition for the last six years and this year as always, gain so much by creating their own authentic oral texts that 'cut the mustard' alongside Australia's best.

For the first time, two of the Montessori quality entries were shortlisted and we invite you to vote for either of them. The theme in 2021 was 'Travel'. Macy-Mae, Lilly, Sophie and Charlotte wrote their own song about the island of Lombok, as their study group is named Lombok. They researched facts about this beautiful island and then commenced the challenging task of making what they wanted to say rhyme. Their final product is sweet, harmonious, impressed me, and will delight Indonesian voters. Jack Clarke's entry will likely have Indonesian speakers in stitches. He plays himself and also his four wives, to whom he seems to have overpromised extensive and exclusive holidays. As they naturally discover his over-commitment, the wives  decide to travel together without the company of, but funded by, Jack.

I hope that you can see in these entries both how much independent work our young thinkers undertook and also how much joy they have taken in their productions.

Voting closes November 26th - please feel free to on-send the link to supportive family members.

Thursday 25th November, 9am-11am

This term we are holding our Wairoa Cafe. It is the first cafe we have had this year so everyone at Wairoa is very excited to prepare and serve you our delicious food and drinks. It is on Thursday the 25th of November, 9am-11am. Tea, coffee and yummy home-made food can be bought, cash and eftpos payment will be available. Please remember to bring a mask to wear, sanitise your hands and practise social distancing. The cafe is a great way to socialise, meet new people and see our brand-new space.

Congratulations to our Cycle 3 student Lucia who has been announced as a winner in the Little Big Ideas competition for her phone app idea that helps school children pack their bags without leaving anything behind. Lucia was one of three winners from 1100 entries across Australia and has won $10,000 for her winning idea!  A surprise assembly was held yesterday where we were joined via Zoom by judge and Ambassador of Little Big Ideas, Dr Jordan Nguyen, who spoke about the importance of creative minds and big imaginations when it comes to solving real world problems. Dr Jordan Nuguyen is a biomedical engineer and inventor, whose achievements include creating a mind-controlled wheelchair for people living with a high-level physical disability. He is one of Australia's most creative minds and it was very exciting for Lucia and the students to hear how STEAM subjects, combined with big imaginations, can lead to some of the very best problem solving that assists human beings. Well done Lucia!

On the last day of term three, Cycle 3 students watched the movie 'Wonder' after reading the book and are raising funds to support sick children who are cared for by the Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) including children cared for by the Craniofacial Unit.

The WCH Foundation relies on the generous contributions from the community to brighten the lives of patients and their families and support brilliant care at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Please DONATE NOW by clicking on the link https://fundraise.wchfoundation.org.au/fundraiser/cycle3thehillsmontessorischool

and support our challenge.

Thank you to those families who have already donated.  Last day to donate will be Friday 19th November.

Thank you – Cycle 3 staff and students.

Taste, experience and celebrate our state’s cultural diversity at the 2021 Multicultural Festival.

Featuring over 70 community groups, showcasing more than 50 cultures – there is something for everyone.

Listen to stories, learn about cultures from far and wide, all right in the heart of Adelaide.

This free event offers a great day for celebrating cultural music, dance, arts and crafts, and culinary delights as community groups bring their culture to the big stage.

The 2021 Multicultural Festival is a COVID safe event brought to you by the State Government.

When: Sunday 14 November

Time: 11 am – 5 pm

Where: Victoria Square

CLICK here for the full festival program! 

Hands up if you want to support The Hills Montessori School and be in the chance to WIN some great prizes valued at more than $300,000? 

This year the school is again taking part in the People’s Choice Community Lottery to help reach our fundraising goals. We get to keep 100% from every $2 ticket sold and our goal is to sell enough tickets to raise at least $1500 so we can make improvements to the outdoor spaces at both the Yultiwirra and Wairoa.

Tickets are only $2 each and by buying from us, not only do you support us, you also go into the draw to win one of 40 prizes worth over $300,000. 

To buy tickets, head to https://communitylottery.peopleschoice.com.au/products/the-hills-montessori-school  and click buy tickets. Each ticket is another entry to win! 

Please feel free to also send this on to your family and friends.