I trust this edition of the Hills Times finds you all well. Over the past fortnight, I have been deeply involved with our first round of Prep 2025 Interviews. It has been wonderful to meet both our new and returning families as they embark on their exciting new school journey. I look forward to welcoming our 2025 applicants later in the year as they commence our Prep transition program, Building Foundations.
At the end of last week, I travelled to Melbourne to attend the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia conference. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with other Heads of Primary and share in each other's wisdom. As a lifelong learner, I rejoiced in the wide variety of guest speakers, who were highly qualified in their fields, as they provided insight, encouraged reflection, and offered inspiration.
As a community-minded school, I was delighted to join our Year 2 students and staff on an excursion to the Jimboomba Aged Care Centre as part of the Sharing the Planet inquiry. It was heartwarming to witness the authentic interactions of warmth and care as our students shared stories and a song. This was reciprocated by the residents, who answered a series of questions from our inquirers, such as "Where did you grow up?" and "What was your first job?". I thank Jimboomba Aged Care for their assistance and support.
I extend my congratulations to our wonderful Primary team for their involvement in the IB self-study and program development planning process. Our school has been recognised for its success in implementing the Primary Years Programme standards and practices. I am proud that one of our strengths lies in our team's deep commitment to inclusivity principles through intercultural understanding and respect. This recognition shows that we are making significant strides in our ongoing efforts to positively impact student learning. A special thanks to Stuart Ablitt for coordinating the many report documents, conversations, and observations required to complete this evaluation. Well done, Hills Primary!
I thank our staff for providing such enriching learning experiences, complemented by a variety of events, excursions, and incursions. I invite you all to take a moment to thank our wonderful educators for the care and dedication they provide.
Mr Matthew Noel
Head of Primary/Deputy Principal
matt.noel@hills.qld.edu.au
Semester 1 Reporting
Your child’s Semester One report will be available via Parent Orbit during the mid-year holiday break. Our Semester Reports aim to inform you about your child’s progress in Maths, English, Units of Inquiry, and specialist subjects. This information demonstrates your child’s achievement, focusing on what they know, understand, and can do, appropriate to their year level. We also focus heavily on the learner, aligning with our College L.A.W.S. This year, our student comments are directed at the learner, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact these comments have in guiding future goals and detailing success.
Parking Reminders
With our increasing numbers, we have ensured processes such as P-4 and Years 5-12 drop-and-go areas assist with traffic flow. Parking is extremely limited, and I encourage families to use these processes moving forward. I kindly remind families that the Staff Car Park is strictly for staff only. Staff are only permitted entry and exit access and signs are in place to remind our families of this expectation. Thank you for your understanding of this matter.
In the spotlight with 6B
6B has been incredibly busy this term. After our enriching Canberra Tour, where we delved deep into the workings of Parliament, our journey of learning continues with a range of follow-up activities that reflect our growing understanding and engagement with civic responsibilities and academic challenges.
One of our key post-tour activities is focused on understanding the roles and responsibilities of an Australian citizen. We have been exploring the diverse perspectives and duties that contribute to a thriving community. This exercise not only deepens our knowledge but also fosters empathy and respect for differing opinions. The students are scripting and organising the recording of interviews with a partner to explain this.
In the area of academics, we have embarked on a fascinating exploration of mathematics, specifically fractions, decimals, and percentages. Engaging in data collection projects, we learn the importance of accurate data gathering, analysis, and effective ways to record findings. This hands-on experience sharpens our analytical skills and instills a methodical approach to problem-solving.
Simultaneously, our language studies have taken us into the realm of persuasive writing. We delve into persuasive devices, analysing texts, and honing our persuasive writing skills. As part of our civic engagement, we are crafting letters to our member of Parliament Mr Scott Buchholz, who met with us in Canberra, advocating for issues close to our hearts and understanding the power of our voices in effecting change.
Beyond academics, we are dedicated to developing good study habits and research skills. With a sense of independence and pride gained from our Canberra experience, we embrace challenges with resilience and a thirst for knowledge. This journey is not just about academic growth but also about nurturing well-rounded individuals who are empowered to contribute meaningfully to society.
In these post-Canberra days, we feel a renewed sense of independence, pride in our achievements, and the confidence to tackle challenges with resilience. Our journey continues, fuelled by curiosity, passion, and a deep sense of responsibility as global citizens in the making.
Mrs Angie Henry
6B Teacher
Year 3 - Now and Then Excursion
Last week, the Year 3 students travelled back in time to when trams were pulled by horses and technology was not even heard of.
At the Museum of Brisbane, we began our excursion with a guided tour of the history exhibitions, where we were able to explore significant people, places, and moments in Brisbane’s history and observe how our lives have changed over time. There were many interesting discussions held about the traditional names for places we frequent today, and how Brisbane got its name. It was fascinating to compare the Brisbane skyline over the decades, so many changes over the past 200 years.
Next, we compared objects and photographs from the past and present in our object handling workshop. Students could gain an understanding of how toys, transport, and technology have changed over time. We were able to manipulate, and role-play with the exhibits, with the typewriter being the most anticipated object chosen.
As a culminating activity, we had to complete a scavenger hunt. At each destination we were loaded with historical facts and interesting tales on how Brisbane developed from the penal colony it was originally settled as, to the incredible city it is today.
The knowledge we have gained from this excursion will aid in our understanding of our current unit Where We Are in Place And Time. Throughout this excursion, we explored characteristics that defined different communities, as we compare places that are familiar to us and identify how they have changed over time.
Year 3 Teachers
Year 6 Canberra Excursion by Vyass and Caoimhe
Our trip to Canberra was magical, everywhere we went we learned something, tried new things, and most importantly we had fun with our peers.
The first day when we landed in Sydney, we went to Bondi Beach. The water was as clean as crystal and everyone was outside having fun. We sat down to eat our delicious morning tea, enjoying every breath we took of the soft grass that was next to the beach. After, we started to pack up, we had a bit have lunch and we were off to Canberra.
In Canberra, our first expedition was to the National Capital Exhibit, where we learned about how Canberra got to how it is currently and what is special about the magnificent city. Later in the day, we went to the National Film and Sound Archive. A few hours later we went to the main place in Canberra, the Parliament House. It was great to enact a bill being passed. We also delved into the House of Representatives and saw the House sitting. The Members of parliament were passionate and enjoyed arguing with each other!
”Being in the House of Reps, live, was very cool!” - Jayden
The Australian War Memorial was a very nice place to visit, the way they encapsulated all the precious memories was magnificent. On that same day, we went to the Deep Space Complex, this was one of the biggest things planned by the teachers and I don’t think many people get the opportunity to visit this place and see how great space is.
”Learning about other galaxies similar to Earth was awesome!” - Isaac
Later in the week, we went to the old Parliament House, now called the MOAD (Museum of Australian Democracy). The MOAD is a place where you can learn about how Australia’s democracy works.
”The activities that we got to do were fun and very educational”- Matilda
The most exciting thing about Canberra, as reviewed by Year 6 2024, was Questacon.
”Questacon was an enjoyable place where everyone had fun and learned things, especially about science at the same time”- Juliene
On reflection of this amazing excursion, some students had barely been away from their families for more than two days, so everyone should be proud of themselves for wrestling with homesickness and encountering this challenge. Year 6 wishes to extend a big thank you to the teachers and staff who provided this experience and support. We could not have done it without them. We thoroughly recommend the Year 6 excursion to next year's class of 2025. It will be the experience of a lifetime and will complement the learning in your Unit of Inquiry.
Primary Playground
The new Primary Playground recently opened, and the Primary Captains were honoured to share this momentous occasion with our teachers, fellow past and present captains, and Year 2 students. It has been wonderful speaking to our Years 1-4 students, and we wanted to share some of their thoughts. Students said they are enjoying the playground, and they are so happy that it has been completed. Some of the more popular features are the rock-climbing wall, the slides, and the climbing ropes. Additionally, they love the stepping stones and the fireman pole. They all agreed that the playground is an amazing and exhilarating experience for all students and the Primary captains feel extremely privileged to share this experience with Hills College.
By Isabelle and Tyler
Reflecting on speaking at the MCG
I am thrilled to share my recent experience at a remarkable event in Melbourne. I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), speaking to over 150 IB Leaders from multiple countries. This event, organised by Toddle and IB Schools Australasia, was a unique opportunity to discuss the profound impact AI is having on Australian schools.
The MCG, renowned for its historical significance and grandeur, provided a fitting backdrop for this significant conversation. As I stood at this legendary venue, I felt a deep sense of responsibility and excitement. Our panel discussion focused on the transformative role of AI in education. AI is reshaping learning environments in myriad ways—from offering personalised learning experiences and improving administrative efficiencies to introducing new ethical considerations and emphasising the need for digital literacy. Sharing these insights with other educational leaders, and hearing their perspectives, was incredibly enriching.
One of the highlights of the event was the diversity of viewpoints represented on the panel. Leaders from various parts of Australia shared their experiences and strategies for integrating AI into their schools. This global exchange underscored the importance of collaboration and shared learning in our rapidly evolving world. It was inspiring to witness the commitment of IB Leaders to continuously improve and innovate, ensuring that our students are well-prepared for the future.
Reflecting on this experience, I am invigorated by the possibilities that lie ahead. The discussions reinforced my belief that while AI offers significant opportunities, its implementation must be thoughtful and deliberate. As educators and leaders, we have the power to shape how AI is used in our schools, ensuring it enhances learning and development in meaningful ways.
I am excited to bring the insights and ideas from this event back to our school and to explore how we can further integrate AI in ways that benefit our
students and community. The future of education is bright, and together, we can ensure that it is shaped by thoughtful and innovative practices.
Mr Stuart Ablitt
Deputy Head of Primary
stuart.ablitt@hills.qld.edu.au
