As we embark on another exciting academic year, I am pleased to share updates and insights on our back-to-school matters. The start of this school year has been marked by a strong sense of community, safety consciousness, and a series of engaging events that have brought us closer together.

Firstly, I want to express my gratitude for the careful and considerate driving observed on the school roads, especially amidst the commencing building projects. Your commitment to ensuring the safety of our students during drop-off and pick-up times has not gone unnoticed. We understand the inconveniences caused by the construction, and your cooperation in adhering to traffic guidelines has played a crucial role in maintaining a secure environment for everyone. Please continue to exercise caution and patience as we navigate through this transformative phase of our school's development.

The strong sense of community has been heartening to witness. The collaborative spirit among parents, educators, and students has created a positive atmosphere within our school. It is truly inspiring to see everyone working together to support our shared goal of providing the best possible education for our students. This community-oriented approach is a cornerstone of our school's ethos of ‘A Place To Belong’, and I encourage everyone to continue fostering this sense of unity.

Reflecting on recent events, our school's swimming carnival was a resounding success. The enthusiastic participation from students showcased their talents and sportsmanship. The camaraderie and encouragement witnessed during the carnival underscore the positive relationships within our school community. A heartfelt congratulations to all participants and a special thank you to the teachers and volunteers who contributed to the event's success.

Looking ahead, we are eagerly anticipating our upcoming cross-country carnival. This event promises to be another opportunity for our students to showcase their athleticism, perseverance, and team spirit. I encourage everyone to get involved, whether as a participant, supporter, or volunteer. These events not only promote physical well-being but also reinforce the bonds that make our school community special. I also report that the College Coffee Van will be available for parents to purchase a coffee and some treats, whilst supporting the spirit of House competition that exists at Hills College.

I acknowledge the fine results attained by the College’s most outstanding academic students from the Class of 2023 : Caitlin Rideout, Bella Carter, and Fiona Feng. They have been reported on the College’s facebook platform, and I encourage you to read about their excellent results.


In conclusion, I am optimistic about the academic year ahead, fueled by the collective efforts of our dedicated community. As we navigate the building projects and exciting events on the horizon, let us continue to prioritize safety, unity, and active participation. Together, we can create an environment where every student thrives and every family feels a sense of belonging.

Thank you for your ongoing support.


Kevin Lynch
Principal & CEO


kevin.lynch@hills.qld.edu.au 

I trust this edition of the Hills Times sees your child/ren thoroughly set into the rhythms and routines of the 2024 school year. As a staff, the start of the new year is eagerly met with connection in mind and the forming routines and rituals that set the foundation for a successful year. I do note some staff have been overcome by illness, and many of our students were taught by the Primary leadership team, specialist staff, and relief teachers to ensure continuity of learning. Let us hope that we are back on track!

The past fortnight I have had the joy of sharing in student success. The 10 Years+ swimming carnival was one such instance and I thank the many families that joined in this College event. A big thank you to our Head of Sport Mr Mark Robinson for his wonderful work in facilitating this event. Through a modified approach, we also held stage-level catchups to celebrate our college L.A.W.S. While whole Primary assemblies are not possible due to facility maintenance and upgrades, the opportunity to join two year levels at a time and meet ensured valuable connection. I congratulate all our students who received L.A.W.S. to signify the outstanding demonstration of our four College values. Congratulations students!

I also thank our Primary students for their wonderfully positive start to 2024 and refer to our House token system for such data. Our tokens are awarded when a staff member catches a student making a positive action or decision. While we expect all students to constantly strive for their personal best, house tokens reinforce such positive actions. I am pleased to announce that we officially ran out of tokens last Friday! This means, that in the first three weeks, 600 tokens were distributed to our student body for outstanding actions. We have counted the tokens and stock has been replenished. As you pass past the Primary staff room, please take a look at the results and thank your child for actively contributing to the positive expectations set by our College.

In this edition, you will also hear from our Primary captains. They are such a great group of students who will aim to work tirelessly to support others and nurture the College L.A.W.S.

Enjoy a fabulous weekend ahead!

Mr Matthew Noel

Head of Primary/Deputy Principal

matt.noel@hills.qld.edu.au

Primary Captains 2024

Over the past two weeks we have held meetings with Mr Noel, enquired about new clips for the flags, and assisted at break times with our Prep and Lower Primary students. We are incredibly proud to be the Primary Captains for 2024 and look forward to sharing our initiatives with you over the coming weeks. On Monday we are excited to attend the Halogen World Leaders Day at Brisbane. At this event, we will hear from well-known leaders and hope to bring back fresh perspectives that can strengthen the wellbeing of the Primary School.

2024 Primary Captains

Facilities Update

A quick playground update. Our Operations Manager has confirmed that work will recommence on the Primary Playground in approximately three weeks. The company is citing summer storms and rain at the beginning of Term 1 as a major delay. They have confirmed the completion of this project being 29 March.

NAPLAN 2024 13-25 March

A notification to our Year 3, 5, 7, and 9 families was recently sent via Parent Orbit. If you have a child/children in these year levels, please familiarise yourself with the information provided. This includes information on the Hills Training Test Day (practice testing), Public demonstration site, Student Withdrawal & Exemptions, Online and Privacy protection, and Parent & Guardian information.

In the spotlight with 1B

WOW, doesn’t 1B look smart and all grown up in their formal uniform? Being now in Year 1 came with not only a new uniform but also new environments, routines, and expectations. The foundation skills embedded in Prep have allowed our students to demonstrate their ability to tackle these changes head-on with confidence and curiosity. 

1B has enjoyed exploring their additional environments during playtime, such as the sensory station and the library. It is up in the library at lunch break where you will find many students from 1B playing board games, reading books, or participating in the Design Hub each Monday. Routines that will allow us to strive for success are being established from the beginning of our new year. This includes signing in each morning on our new interactive smart board while also checking in to what Zone of Regulation we are feeling as we start our day regulating our emotions in a readiness to learn.

The students are reading with more confidence and using so many more significant words, but it is in their writing where they are already shining. They have all come a long way from when we were learning which sound was represented by which letter to now writing well-thought-out recounts of their weekends. There is, however, one skill still to learn that I certainly can’t wait to see, and it is when everyone knows how to tie their shoelaces on those new shiny shoes that go with that new fancy uniform!

1B has kicked off the year with an inquiry into How The World Works, where we have begun to explore how 'Materials and objects can be changed'. We recognised that the change could be in the colour, shape, or other aspects of properties. So far, we have been investigating ways to alter materials and objects. We particularly enjoyed rolling, stretching, and twisting various things such as play dough, Allen's Snakes, and newspaper. While we were exploring with the newspaper, we observed that rolling it up strengthened it to allow us to bend it. Even better, this technique strengthened it enough to play newspaper cricket! Don’t forget the scrunched-up newspaper cricket ball! Our next set of investigations will see 1B changing the properties of solid versus liquid and identifying whether these changes can be reversed. I have a feeling there will be lots of chocolate and popcorn involved.

In Maths, IB was introduced to Gus the “Plus”, Linus the “Minus”, and Ellie the “Equal”. Yep, we are knee-deep, pulling apart and recognising the key functions of these symbols when making Mathematical equations of addition and subtraction and how we can manipulate numbers in various ways. We already know that Gus likes to make numbers bigger and add them together, while Linus plays his role to make numbers smaller and take them away. Our plan for the rest of the term is to explore and inquire into the various strategies that can support us in completing simple additions and subtractions. These include using number lines, fact families, turnarounds and counting on and counting back.

It has been a pleasure watching everyone settle back in and develop new and old friendships from last year. 1B are undoubtedly immersed in their learning and I can't wait to see where our learning will take us next.

Mrs Roberts
1B Teacher

Gabriela Kavanagh - Student Action

Action is a key element of the Primary Years Programme and centers on an opportunity for a student to contribute to their local and global community. Year 2 student, Gabriela Kavanagh, embodies this. Gabriela has drawn on her character profile attributes and formed her own business (with the support of her mum and dad), selling Loom Bands. Her enthusiasm and interest in business and entrepreneurship have enabled her to develop key skills that have enhanced her communication, organisation, and confidence. 

Well done, Gabriela on your external action and sharing it with your community!

Skye in Action! 

Skye, our newest therapy dog, has been making a paw-sitive impact in primary classes this term. Under the guidance of Mrs. Rosevear and I, Skye has seamlessly integrated into our school community, offering support to both students and staff alike.

Each day, Skye follows her unique timetable, weaving her way through various primary classes and leaving behind a trail of smiles. In 4B this week, Skye became an invaluable companion, assisting students with their writing tasks and providing a comforting presence during their learning journey.

Prep C welcomed Skye with open arms, as she lent a helping paw to our little ones, aiding in their transition into the world of big school. The joy and enthusiasm Skye brings to these early learners are immeasurable, creating a positive and inclusive environment.

Skye also stopped by Miss West's Health and Physical Education (HPE) class amid a wonderful AFL lesson being conducted by an AFL Development Officer. 

But Skye's contributions don't stop there! On Wednesday, she joined the Compassion Crew during their Valentine's Day serenades, spreading love and joy throughout the school. Skye's gentle nature and unconditional affection have left an indelible mark on the hearts of both students and staff. 

Upcoming PYP Evaluation Visit

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you. We are currently gearing up for an Evaluation visit from the International Baccalaureate (IB), to evaluate the implementation of the Primary Years Programme here at Hills. 

What is the PYP Evaluation Visit?
The PYP Evaluation visit is a significant milestone for our school and an integral part of our commitment to providing a high-quality international education. The International Baccalaureate organisation reviews schools offering the PYP every 5 years, to ensure they adhere to the highest standards of education, curriculum delivery, and overall excellence.

When is the Visit?
Our PYP Evaluation visit is scheduled for the 6 and 7 March this year. During this time, a team of experienced IB educators will be with us, in a virtual capacity, to observe classes, engage with students and staff, and assess how well our school aligns with the IB's rigorous standards.

Why Does it Matter?
Achieving and maintaining authorisation as an IB World School is a testament to our dedication to delivering a globally recognised, inquiry-based education. The PYP Evaluation visit is an opportunity for us to celebrate our achievements, identify areas for growth, and further enhance the educational experience we provide to your children.

If you would like any further information about this process, please don't hesitate to contact me using the details below. 

Mr Stuart Ablitt

Deputy Head of Primary & Head of IB Programs

stuart.ablitt@hills.qld.edu.au

Secondary Insights

What a great start to the year both students and staff have had. Even Mrs Skelton was a part of the Valentine's celebrations with students this week.

The focus for this edition of the Hills Times is to acknowledge our Hills College Ambassadors.

What is a Hills College Ambassador?

Our Hills College Ambassadors are students who serve as a representative, advocate, or liaison for our College. Ambassadors play a crucial role in promoting, supporting recruitment efforts and enhancing the overall student experiences.

Below are some common responsibilities and duties of our Ambassadors:

• Student engagement and outreach: Ambassadors engage with current students through various activities and programs designed to promote student involvement, as well as understanding the leadership opportunities with this role.
• Leadership and Development: Ambassadors develop leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills through their involvement in ambassador programs. They receive training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to enhance their abilities as student leaders and representatives of the institution.
• Role Models and Mentors: Ambassadors serve as role models and mentors for their peers, demonstrating academic excellence, integrity, and engagement while undertaking this role at Hills College. They offer guidance, support, and encouragement to fellow students, helping them navigate challenges and maximise their skills at Hills College.
• Overall, ambassadors play a vital role in building connections, fostering engagement and enhancing the overall student experience at schools and colleges. Through their leadership, advocacy, and service, they contribute to the success and vibrancy within our Hills College Community.
  

If you have any questions pertaining to Secondary, please do not hesitate to phone the College or email me with the details. I will also be available for a meeting together.

Thank you again for your support for our College and our programs. Hills College is certainly that Place to Belong.

Mrs Julie-Anne Skelton

Head of Secondary

julie-anne.skelton@hills.qld.edu.au

Teaching and Learning- Health and Physical Education

11 PE - Learning about Motor Control - Cognitive Systems Approach to learning.

Students had to select a lolly from the bowl in front of them while blindfolded.

They were to indicate if the lolly was sweet, minty or sour by demonstrating from earlier memorised hand signals. Students quickly learned that this was more difficult than initially thought. The processing of external and internal stimuli and neural pathways is not always as clear cut as we think it will be when all processes work in conjunction.

Mrs Leah Stone

Head of Faculty HPE

Teaching and Learning - Mathematics

Learning Experiences that 7C undertook in Mathematics while practicing how to find the factors of numbers by playing ‘Factor-pillar’.

Mrs Grace Ogoti

Teaching and Learning-English Faculty Term 1 Welcome

The English Faculty team has been hard at work in the first weeks of Term 1, with teachers getting to know students, developing engaging lessons, and easing students back into familiar school routines. A big welcome to Ms Kerry Timmins (Year 7 English), and Ms Grace Dwyer (Year 11 Literature) who join the faculty in 2024.

Students are exploring a wide range of text types and narrative worlds this term:

• Year 7s are loving their first novel study of Louis Sachar’s ‘Holes’ under the tutelage of Mrs Melanie Clifton, Mrs Leah Stone, and Ms Timmins. They are focusing on dissecting the novel’s narrative elements in order to develop their own literary interpretations.
• Year 8s are being guided through their first poetry course by Ms Bianca Tyne and Mrs Stone. Students are learning how to interpret a range of poems in order to create their own.
• Year 9s are developing their abilities in the areas of persuasive text analysis and development, as well as speech and presentation skills. Mrs Clifton and Ms Goyne are introducing students to various youth issues that are currently being discussed in the media in order to challenge them to consider their own positions on matters that affect them.
• Year 10s are exploring the science fiction genre with Ms Tyne and Ms Goyne. They have been introduced to the worlds of ‘Star Wars’, ‘Star Trek’, and other sci-fi classics like ‘Galaxy Quest’ in order to reflect on how sci-fi pop culture often mirrors or undermines social norms in order to make social commentary. This week, students became experts on a certain modern era and made presentations to the class about how the mood of their era was reflected in the sci-fi texts of the time. Photo 1 shows Steven Rose and Riley Bate explaining how the 1897 novel ‘The War of the Worlds’ was infused with commentary about the ethics of European imperialism.
• The Year 11 General English class is examining the real-world relevance of issues explored in dystopian texts; Essential English students are undertaking a tourism unit that aims to develop their presentation skills, and Year 11 Literature students are studying the art of film language in the Australian Gothic classic ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’. This week, Ms Dwyer introduced students to the key concepts of the gothic, including the uncanny, the natural world, and the supernatural using a display table that featured symbolic props [see Photo 2]. The class had a great time trying to match the gothic elements to each of the items!
• Year 12 General and Essential English students are getting passionate about current affairs, creating calls-to-action about a range of social, economic, political, and cultural issues, while Year 12 Literature students are conducting a Marxist deconstruction of the representation of capitalism in Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning film ‘Parasite’.

Ms Jacinta Goyne 

Head of English

English Ambassadors

The English Faculty would also like to extend a congratulations and a hearty welcome to our 2024 English Ambassadors: Tea Gligor (Head Ambassador), Shreya Ramdeo, Ella Molander, Hollie Zavattaro, Keely Moffitt, Matilda McBain, and Grace Newbery. The students are hard at work devising a vision and action plan for the year. These student leaders will each design an initiative that will become a legacy project for future Ambassadors. Stay tuned for more from this team of literary legends!

Arts Ambassadors

My name is India and I am one of the two Arts Captains for 2024. I love art and everything about it so becoming a leader and continuing the arts legacy at Hills was the obvious next step. As an Arts Captain, I hope to initiate opportunities for creative individuals to express themselves within the school environment and be celebrated for it.

With this position I look forward to being a role model for the younger grades, supporting the Visual Arts teacher, organising art related events and photographing for school events.

I hope this year will be a fantastic opportunity for Hills to celebrate all aspects of art and the talented people who create it.

My name is Summer, and I am a 2024 Arts Captain along with
India Caroll. I have always been enthusiastic within the Arts industry and particularly art and music. As an Arts Captain, my role is to be an encouraging and supportive figure for the younger students within the arts subjects at our school. 

The role entails helping out the Arts teachers with events,
productions, and displays, be photographers at school sporting carnivals and events, and organising events such as the lunchtime concert series we are continuing this year which will commence on Monday11 March. 

My intentions as an Arts Captain are to continue to be a role model for all students interesting in the arts subjects and to provided opportunities for performers at our school to showcase their talents.

STEM Ambassadors - STEM run-activity with Year 3-Igloos

On 14 February in the last two sessions, our STEM team came together once again to collaborate with the Year 3 cohort, devising an engaging experiment on food science and nutrition for their unit. The activity focused on ice and how by adding salt, the surface layer would melt allowing it to fuse to a variety of objects; in the case of this experiment, another bit of ice allowed igloos to be built. To make this activity more engaging, there was a competition between which group could make the best igloo with the prize to the winners in each class.

During the activity, the children were excited about the ability of ice to fuse to itself and were engaged during the construction of the igloos. Overall, the experiment taught science in an exciting way, promoting love for STEM in younger years.

Hollie Zavattaro

Hills STEM ambassador and reporter

STEM directed experiment with the Year 3s on changes of state.

On the afternoon of 7 February, our STEM team collaborated with the Year 3 teachers, Mrs McKenzie and Mrs MacPherson, to perform an interactive experiment on state changes with the students for their unit “How the World Works”. Lead by STEM Ambassador Connor McLachlan, the experiment focused on the changing state of chocolate when placed in hot water which was then used in a contest between groups to see who could make the tallest tower from gluing marshmallows together with the melted chocolate.

Throughout the lesson, the students were engaged in the experiment, actively answering questions and participating in the contest. Overall, this activity displayed science as an appealing and fun interest to the Year 3 cohort, promoting STEM in primary school.

Hollie Zavattaro 

STEM Ambassador

Year 1 STEM – How the World Works – manipulating materials

Last week, all three Year 1 classes participated in three different STEM activities. These activities were focused on understanding how materials (in particular, paper) change. Students explored how rolling and scrunching strengthens newspapers. From these learned skills, they made newspaper bats and balls and proceeded to play newspaper cricket. 

Another activity was origami; students practiced folding paper which allowed them to make different shapes and objects. For this activity, students made dogs. 

Finally, students engaged in mosaics, students explored how even when paper is torn, images can be made. Students made love hearts from the torn paper in preparation for Valentine’s Day. 

Service students Maddison Neiwand, Caitlyn Underdown, and Steven Rose assisted the STEM Ambassadors in this activity and all agreed it was a fun activity for the students. It is hoped that each week the STEM Ambassadors will assist primary teachers and students in lessons around STEM.

Alexandria Rose 

STEM Ambassador

Digital Technologies Ambassadors- Learning with Robotics

In 2024, Secondary Students have been offered an additional option for Activities– Robotics, utilising Lego EV3. This activity is designed to be project-orientated, building not only STEM skills but also developing collaborative teamwork and problem-solving. The students are engaged in constructing a robotic vehicle, then coding it to perform specific tasks, such as follow a designated path, pick up and place items and to independently navigate around obstacles. The College STEM Ambassadors have assisted in preparing materials, developing tracks and supporting students when working with their robots. Interested Students will be provided with the opportunity to
compete against other schools at the RoboCup Junior event held in June. We also look forward to engaging students in further robotics competitions and co-curricular activities across 2024.

Joshua Chan worked with our Hills College students to encourage them with their used of Robotics. Great learning outcomes occurred. 

Mrs Kellie Smith

Curriculum Coordinator - Primary

Activities Facilitator- Robotics

Events - HIA Swimming Carnival

On 7 February, Hills students travelled back to Beaudesert Pool to battle against our friends from Tamborine Mountain College and The Kooralbyn International School to see who would take out this years' HIA Swimming Carnival. 

Students were competitive and demonstrated awesome sportsmanship for the whole carnival. Overall winners for the day Tambourine Mountain College held on to the trophy - and Hills was a close second. 

Congratulations to Liana Wong achieving Junior Girls Age Champion. There were some great performances from Jourdain Lanoux, Sophia Davidson, Jake Davidson and Jessie McMillian. The relays were all convincingly won by Hills!

What a great way to finish the day.

Hills Media Report - Learn, Explore, Exchange

This week the Hills reporting team interviewed two short stay visitors about their experiences, and they had some amazing answers. During the interview it was learnt that both students learnt multiple languages. The College is lucky to have Danny and Fred share their points of view, it is important for us as individuals to learn about different ways of life. 

The Reporting Team thanks Danny and Fred for sharing along with Mrs Newbery for allowing us to understand what it is like to visit a new country. The College wishes the students all the best, and we hope they have a great time in the place we call home.

Owen Eggart 

Hills Reporting Team

New online forms

The new online forms introduced in the last edition of the Hills Times are now active on our website on the "Contact Us" tab:

• Reporting a Child Safety Incident/Concern: This is for reporting potential harm/abuse of a person under 18, or for reporting what you believe may be a breach of our Child Safety Code of Conduct
• Reporting a Safety Incident: This is for reporting accidents or near misses
  Reporting a General Hazard: This is for reporting things that could cause an accident on-site
• Reporting a compliance concern: This is for reporting a matter that you think could break some other part of policy/legislation
• Reporting a Complaint or Dispute: This is for reporting dissatisfaction with a decision or process made by the College

Child Safety - Carparks and Playground Supervision

With a new year and new families, I'd like to remind everyone that there are allocated pickup carparks and areas for different Year levels around the school.  We really appreciate how readily our families have adopted and adapted to the new parking arrangements, and we have noticed a significant improvement in traffic flow and safety.

Please remember that Prep students have a designated carparking area, as do Years 1-4 and 5-12.  The parking near the Early Learning Centre, the bus stop, and the staff carpark is absolutely not available for parent use, and parents will be directed to move on from those areas.

When picking up children, please note that duty of care passes to the supervising adult.  As such, please ensure that your children are safe in play areas and walking to and within carparks.  Staff are available on designated crossings:  students and families must use these crossing areas.  Please also follow all instructions from staff on duty before and after school.

When dropping children off, Hills staff are not on duty until 8:15.  If your children arrive earlier than this, we ask that you direct them exclusively to sit in or around the main quadrangle.  Parents found repeatedly leaving students on-site for a significant amount of time before and after school may be asked in to discuss how duty of care can be maintained.

Volleyball Success!

Recently, four of our Hills seniors were successful in securing berths in the Pacific District Team

• Steven Gurney
• Keith Henley
• Samantha Gurney
• Chelsea Knight

They will now go to the South Coast Regional try outs which is an all-day tournament style try-outs. All the district teams play off against each other with the South Coast coaches watching, to try out for the South Coast team which will compete at State Championships in Cairns.

Congratulations!

Wellio Wellbeing Program Commencement

Year 7-12 students have now had a full month of access to the College's new Wellbeing program:  Wellio.

Wellio provides a suite of tailored lessons for each year level, based on recommendations from experts, and using feedback from our own Hills Heads of Year to ensure lessons are relevant to our own cohorts.

Each 45-minute lesson focusses on one area of wellbeing, and students and teachers work through a range of discussion topics, videos, question prompts, scenarios, and other activities to actively engage with the topic of each lesson.

Below are a few snapshots from a Year 11 Wellio lesson on values.  You will notice that there is a wide scope for individual expression and a range of opinions and ideas are sought and catered for.  You will also see that staff can track student engagement and provide direct private feedback to students regarding their work and responses.  

If you have any questions about Wellio, please contact me directly at ben.pope@hills.qld.edu.au

FAD Cheer & Dance 

FAD Cheer & Dance are very excited to be running a FREE Cheerleading Clinic for students 5 years and over in March. FAD would love if Hills students attended this FREE event open to BOYS & GIRLS 

Date: Saturday 9th of March.

Location: Jimboomba Community and District Hall, Johanna Street, Jimboomba

Time: 9:00 – 11:00amPhone: 1300 362 728 

Children will be learning Forward Rolls, Cartwheels, Bridges and Stunts! 

This event is open to the public.

Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/50gtUlFfH

Short Stay visitors

This term, we welcome cousins Fred (Year 9) and Richie (Year 3) to Hills College. These boys are here with family, and are visiting Hills College for three weeks to experience what education is like in Australia. Both boys have settled in extremely well, and have made firm friends. Fred was lucky enough to receive a Valentine's Day serenade, organised by a friend in his class. 

We wish Fred and Richie well as they leave the College, and hope to see them again in the future.

Hills Language College News

Hills Language College's High School Preparation class is a busy place of multiculturalism, English learning and fun. Experienced HLC teacher Mrs Isla Perrett currently has a full class, with students from Thailand, Ukraine, Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. 

In the class, students develop their English abilities, while preparing for high school subjects like Maths, Humanities, Science and HPE. We also delve into the Arts; this term, students are learning 'English for Music'. 

Culture Club is back!

This Thursday, a small but enthusiastic group of primary and Secondary students attended the first Culture Club meeting of 2024. Together, we discussed initial planning for Harmony Day. Harmony Day is celebrated on 21 March, so watch this space for more information!

Despite the heavy rains in January the Golf program is under way with our four new students acquiring their Beaudesert Golf Club membership and Golflink official Golf Australia handicap. This allows them to compete in upcoming junior events which start for us on March 3.

Two the Golf Academy alumni from Malaysia have had outstanding results, with Ashleigh Lau winning the Womans Victorian Open by one stroke from former world number Jiyi Shin, shooting a six under par 66 in the final round to take out her debut professional victory. Mirabel Ting has shown some excellent form this season and that has been rewarded with an invitation to the very prestigious Augusta Womens Masters, the site of the first men's professional major championship of the year the US Masters at the famed Augusta National Golf Club. The Augusta Womens Masters is played the week before the US Masters in the first week of April.

What's the best way to watch a fly fishing tournament?

The P and F committee has returned to work for what we hope will be a year of significant fundraising.

We have started off small by finalising some projects from last year. We would like to thank The Exchange Shed who arranged for corflute boxes to be delivered to the Year 6 classes to assist them with taking over the project of collecting 10c containers.

The P and f would also like to recognise the generous donation that was received from Bunnings at Springfield Central to support the relocation of the Eco Club.

Hopefully parents have seen the signage on the outer fence that a rodeo has been planned for later this year and there are currently a number of volunteers helping with all the work that is required to allow the P and F to run the bar at this event. Closer to the date of the event we will be calling on the parent community to volunteer to run the bar. This is an opportunity to top up the bank account and allow the P and F to contribute meaningful funds to projects that might otherwise not proceed.

Planning for a P and F ball to be held later in the year is underway with a dedicated volunteer taking the lead.

A number of other ideas are in progress, if you have an opportunity to contribute to the P and F we would welcome you getting in contact. There are a number of small admin tasks, and helpers for these would make a huge difference.

We would like to thank Dr Watson for taking the time to attend our first committee meeting of the year. It was a lovely opportunity to connect with the College board.

If you need to make contact with the committee during the year, please call 0422 087 403 or email secretary@hillspf.com and Brenda will respond.

Answer: Livestream

Adam Healey 

P & F President