The term has really started in earnest as we move from the orientation and settling in process to the embedding of rules, routines, and procedures phase. I continue to be impressed by the good manners of the students and the genuine spirit of goodwill in the Hills community. This is wonderful to see!

Swimming Carnivals

Our 10Years+ Swimming Carnival was an enormous success and our swimmers were victorious in the HIA Carnival. Mr Robinson deserves our thanks for convening two swimming carnivals in three days.

Primary Dance

The Primary dance program has now commenced, and it is incredible to see the amount of interest in the program. Ms Landers and the staff have four groups running throughout the week and it will be wonderful to see these students develop their skills throughout the year ahead.

P and F

Our P and F has held its first Executive Committee meeting for 2025. The P and F has some excellent fundraising and friend-building activities planned. I commend their commitment and willingness to serve the school community and would invite other interested parents to get involved. You do not have to sign up to attend heaps of meetings; sometimes just an hour or two of your time can make a difference. Many hands make light work, and the P and F is extremely happy to have new parents involved.

Secondary Camps

Our Secondary school camps have started with Year 7 heading to Mapleton in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. The students conducted themselves well and gained valuable skills via the outdoor education program. Thank you to Mrs Ogoti and the team of staff who supported the students on camp.

The rest of the Secondary school will be out on camp in Week 6, and I am looking forward to joining the Year 11 students at Emu Gully for what is traditionally a challenging but enjoyable camp experience.

Year 12 Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

Congratulations to Mrs Parer and the Year 12 students on their work with the Valentine’s Day serenades and activities. It was great to see our most senior students getting involved in generating a great fundraiser and community building activity.

NAPLAN 2025

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students can undertake. As students progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with more information about students’ educational progress. NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working, and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

Independent Schools Queensland What Parents Want Survey

New parents, your views are important to us.

As a new parent, your recent experience of choosing a school is insightful. Hills International College is interested to hear about what was important to you and your family before and during your decision-making process, why you chose to send your child to an independent school, and why you felt Hills International College was different from the other schools.

You are invited to complete the What Parents Want – an Independent Schools Queensland Survey. It is a longitudinal study that tracks multiple aspects of parents’ decision-making time, and the anonymous data can provide our school with insights to better understand and support prospective and new families in our community.

If you are a parent of a Prep, Year 7, and/or new student, we would like to ask you to complete this valuable survey (approx., 15-20 minutes). Other parents are also welcome to complete the survey. Survey closes 24 March 2025.

Click here to take the survey

Thank you to all the members of the school community for your positive and genuine interactions. I am overjoyed to be working with such a great group of staff, students and families.


Mr Darren Parks
Principal/CEO

I trust this edition of the Hills Times sees your child/ren thoroughly settled into the rhythms and routines of the 2025 school year. As a staff, the start of the new year is eagerly met with connection in mind and the formation of routines and rituals that set the foundation for a successful year.

A strong school community is built on collaboration, shared perspectives, and mutual support. When students, parents, carers, and staff work together, we create an environment where children feel valued, safe, and encouraged to grow. Every individual brings a unique viewpoint, and by embracing these diverse perspectives, we can foster a culture of understanding and respect. This collective effort strengthens our students' confidence, resilience, and ability to navigate the challenges they will encounter throughout the year.

In this edition, I want to share a wonderful free resource to complement and enhance resilience with our families. Over the next few editions, further resources will be shared to support your toolbox and complement the common language between school and home. Resilience is a vital skill to develop, and we must foster an environment that allows our children the capacity to bounce back from adversity.

Resilience helps children navigate challenges, build confidence, and develop problem-solving skills that will serve them throughout life. Some simple ways families can encourage resilience at home include:

Recognising and celebrating successes – No matter how small, acknowledging achievements fosters a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

Encouraging children to try new things – Viewing mistakes as learning opportunities promotes a growth mindset and perseverance.

Helping children identify and manage big emotions – Teaching strategies for self-regulation, such as deep breathing and mindfulness, supports emotional resilience. Ensuring children feel safe, valued, and heard strengthens their ability to cope with difficulties.

Providing a supportive and connected environment – Ensuring children feel safe, valued, and heard strengthens their ability to cope with difficulties.

To further support families in building resilience with their children, I recommend the fantastic free resource, Triple P – Positive Parenting Program. This internationally recognised program offers practical strategies to help parents and carers support their children’s emotional well-being, manage behaviour positively, and build strong family relationships. Click here for more information

I encourage you to explore this valuable resource and hope you find it insightful.

Before I sign off, I would like to extend a warm welcome to three new students who have joined us since the last edition—Evan and Madhav in Year 3, and Himmat in Year 6. We hope your transition has been smooth and that you already feel a strong sense of belonging within our College community.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and a fantastic few weeks ahead!

Mr Matthew Noel
Head of Primary

matt.noel@hills.qld.edu.au

PYP Information Evening

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent PYP Information Evening. It was fantastic to see such strong engagement from our community, with many insightful questions and a genuine interest in how the Primary Years Programme supports our learners at Hills.

To keep the conversation going, I am excited to introduce a new fortnightly feature in our newsletter. Each edition, I will unpack a specific element of the PYP, offering insights and practical suggestions on how you can support your child’s learning journey at home.

This Fortnight’s Focus: The IB Learner Profile
At the heart of the PYP is the IB Learner Profile, a set of ten attributes that guide our students to become internationally minded, compassionate, and active participants in their world. These attributes align beautifully with our LAWS guiding principles of Living with Compassion, Acting with Integrity, Working with Diligence, and Striving for Success.

The ten attributes of the IB Learner Profile are:

• Inquirers: Nurturing curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research.
• Knowledgeable: Building a deep understanding of various subjects and issues.
• Thinkers: Using critical and creative thinking to approach problems.
• Communicators: Expressing ideas confidently in multiple ways.
• Principled: Acting with integrity, honesty, and a strong sense of fairness.
• Open-Minded: Appreciating our own cultures and being open to the perspectives of others.
• Caring: Showing empathy, compassion, and respect.
• Risk-Takers: Approaching uncertainty with courage and confidence.
• Balanced: Understanding the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives.
• Reflective: Thoughtfully considering our own learning and experiences.

How Can Families Engage with the Learner Profile at Home?
Here are a few ideas to bring the Learner Profile to life beyond the classroom:

• Celebrate Curiosity: Encourage your child to ask questions, explore new ideas, and research topics of interest.
• Model Communication: Share your thoughts and listen actively to your child’s ideas, promoting open dialogue.
• Foster Integrity: Highlight the importance of honesty and fairness in everyday situations.
• Show Empathy: Engage in activities that promote caring, such as community service or helping a neighbour.
• Embrace Reflection: At the end of the day, ask your child what they learned and how they felt about it.
  

Captains' Conversation

The Primary Captains would like to open our first Captains' Conversation by expressing our gratitude to the students, staff, and families who attended last Friday’s Primary Assembly. We were quite nervous, but seeing the students’ smiles and thumbs-up gestures gave us a great sense of support and encouragement.

A special shout-out goes to our Prep students, who were fantastic active listeners. We noticed how well they celebrated the LAWS Award recipients and followed instructions—well done! We also received some wonderful feedback from parents and staff, especially about the improvements to the LAWS procession, which we truly appreciate.

In our leadership meeting this week, we discussed the importance of student voice and explored ways to gather peer feedback. To achieve this, we are launching Captains' Chats, which will take place weekly outside the Primary Office. These chats will be guided by key questions such as:

• What do you think we need at the College?

• What could we make better at the College?

The feedback we receive will be shared with the College Executive and the P & F, reinforcing our commitment to student agency and the values of the PYP.

In our next edition, we’ll have plenty to share! On Monday, we are heading to the Youth Leadership Summit in Brisbane, and we can’t wait to bring back new insights and ideas.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

From the Primary Captains

Toddle Engagement! 

We are thrilled to see so many families signing up and actively engaging with Toddle! It has been wonderful to witness parents interacting with their child’s learning journey and celebrating their achievements alongside our teachers.

As I have mentioned in previous communications, Toddle is a new platform for our teachers. As our understanding and confidence with it grow, we will gradually increase our use of its features to enhance learning experiences and the connection between school and home.

If you encounter any difficulties with logging in or accessing your child’s portfolio, please do not hesitate to reach out to our friendly IT team at admin@hills.qld.edu.au. We appreciate your support and patience as we continue to refine and develop the way we use Toddle to support your child’s education.

Thank you for being a part of this exciting journey!

Mr Stuart Ablitt

Deputy Head of Primary & Head of IB Programs

Innovative Reading Program Empowers Our Students 

At Hills College, we are excited to share the innovative Reading Progress program from Microsoft which supports our literacy instruction and boosts student confidence. The program is engaging and provides an individualised approach to learning to read.

Students at Hills College have access to Reader Coach through their Microsoft login on their devices using this link: https://coach.microsoft.com/webapp

Using Reader Coach students can create their own passages to read based on their interests or read prewritten texts within the program.

Engaging Learning for All
Learning to read is one of the most challenging tasks students face. With Reading Progress, students can read personalised texts and receive personalised feedback. Students enjoy reading aloud on camera, reviewing their recordings, and taking charge of their learning. This provides more opportunities to practice and improve their reading.

Instant Feedback with Reading Coach
Reading Coach provides instant feedback when a student encounters difficulty, The feedback is immediate and targeted. This real-time support helps students quickly overcome obstacles and build their reading skills.

Targeted Support Through Insights
Another powerful tool within Reading Progress is Insights. This feature allows adults to quickly scan a list of words the student finds challenging and needs extra practice with. These can be made into games to help consolidate the learning.

Building Confidence and a Love of Reading

We are excited about the future of Reading Progress. The program not only improves reading skills but also creates a safe space for students to practice and build confidence. Students are motivated to improve upon their previous attempts, fostering a love for reading that will benefit them throughout their academic journey.

For more information
Introducing Reading Coach for personalized practice, and other major updates to Reading Progress in Microsoft Teams
https://youtu.be/fHZdcLxdzFQ

FYI - There is a second program built into Teams called Reading Progress which is controlled by teachers. Just so you don’t get confused.

Mrs Tracy Ashbridge

Head of Inclusive Education

Hills Wellbeing Community Meeting

You are again invited to work together to build the future of our College. Last year, our Hills Wellbeing Community was extremely successful: meeting to discuss mental health issues for young people, and included a brilliant presentation from Tara Memery, an ex-student and social worker. Tara’s presentation will be available to view later this term.

In August, we met to discuss parent engagement and expectations.

I have included the minutes from that meeting with this letter to demonstrate the value of our parent feedback. Our first meeting will focus on ways to action the suggestions from the August meeting.

As a reminder:

• The community will meet after school
• The community will meet regularly to discuss College policies and programs that relate (but are not limited) to: Behaviour; Wellbeing; Child Protection and Safety; Extra-Curricular activities, and Attendance
• The Head of Wellbeing will chair the community meetings and distribute the minutes and agenda of all meetings
• The community will have the ability to suggest amendment to existing policies, as well as request new policies.
• Members of the community can seek clarification regarding policies and procedures.

First Meeting of the Year:

📅 Date: March 6
🕕 Time: 6pm
📍 Location: Resource Centre, Ground Floor.

Parent input provides valuable perspectives on what is working well and what we can improve. By participating in this committee, you will be able to influence policies and decisions that directly impact your child’s education and overall wellbeing.

Personally, I have enjoyed getting to know so many wonderful parents and families, and have found the meetings informative and enjoyable.

I look forward to meeting previous attendees and new families!

Why Catching the School Bus is a Great Choice for Your Child

At Hills International College, we understand that morning routines can be hectic, and getting children to school on time is a daily priority for families. While many parents choose to drive their children to school, there are numerous benefits to utilising a bus service instead.

1. A Safer, More Reliable Journey

School buses are operated by experienced, professional drivers trained to ensure student safety. With designated stops and supervised boarding, the school bus provides a structured and secure way for children to travel to and from school. Additionally, reducing the number of private vehicles in the school car park and drop-off zones enhances safety for all students.

2. Developing Independence and Responsibility

Catching the school bus fosters independence in students, helping them build confidence in managing their daily routine. By being responsible for arriving at the bus stop on time, keeping track of their belongings, and following bus rules, students develop essential life skills that will serve them well in the future.  Developing resilience and independence in this way is much more effective than a range of more structured approaches.

3. Reducing Traffic Congestion and Environmental Impact

Fewer cars on the road during peak school hours mean reduced traffic congestion around the College. This not only improves safety but also contributes to a cleaner environment by lowering carbon emissions. By choosing a school bus, families can play a role in making our community more sustainable.

4. Social Benefits and Friendships

Travelling to school with peers provides a valuable opportunity for students to socialise, build friendships, and develop a sense of belonging. The bus ride becomes a time for connection, helping students feel more engaged with their school community.

5. Saving Time and Reducing Stress for Families

For many parents, the daily school run can be time-consuming and stressful. The school bus service offers a convenient alternative, allowing families to streamline their mornings and avoid the hassle of traffic and parking. Parents can enjoy peace of mind knowing their child is arriving at school safely and on time.  Student attendance on buses is logged, and families can track their child's progress en-route.

We encourage families to consider taking advantage of a school bus service as a safe, efficient, and community-friendly transport option. If you would like more information about routes, schedules, and availability, please contact the College office.

By choosing a school bus, we can work together to create a safer, more sustainable, and connected school community.

Screens, Social Media and Our Kids - Webinar 

Independent Schools Queensland is offering the following webinar, and we strongly encourage all families (especially those with teens/tweens) to enrol:

Today’s parents report that excessive screen time is the top health concern they have for their children.

In this parent webinar, tween/teen champion Michelle Mitchell and Clinical and school psychologist Dr Matt O’Connor will discuss some practical strategies, tips and insights for helping your child foster a healthy relationship with technology and unpack some ways to help your family prepare for the upcoming social media ban.

Learn more and register via the link below.

Screens, Social Media and Our Kids Webinar information.

Swimming Carnival

On Monday 10 February, the Hills College Swimming Carnival was held at Beaudesert Pool. Students from Year 4 through to Year 12 competed in races such as freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke, while house teams cheered from the sidelines. Every student who participated earned a point for their house, and it was great to see so many students dive in.

Mr Borg ensured Uluru students were united in yellow, and they took home first place in the swimming carnival. Halla came second, followed closely by Jade, with Fuji in fourth place. For those cheering on, there was also a best-dressed competition - Jade won the Secondary best-dressed, and Fuji won the Primary best-dressed.

We would like to congratulate all swimmers for participating, and on behalf of Hills College students, we thank the teachers for organising this event, particularly Mr Robbo and the HPE teachers.

Sophie Black and Addison Neal

Hills Reporting Team

Pacific District Distinction!

Please join us in congratulating two of our secondary students in gaining selection for Pacific Districts!

IVY CARTER (YR 11) - RUGBY LEAGUE

GURSAKHI KAUR (YR 8) - SOCCER

Hills Hornets

Looking to make new friends? Is your child interested in playing netball? Hornets Netball club is looking for players aged 9-12 years old to join our hive. Please see below for more information.

Competition Structure

Super Heroes 8-week program, runs for half an hour prior to fixtures on a Saturday for kids aged 5 - 10 years learning skills and drills. This is available for all kids if they are in a team or not, and is usually free of charge, fees TBC.

Net Set Go 5 - 10 years

Junior/senior - Based on Skill Level
Div 1 being the highest, down to Div 6 or Div 7 depending on team numbers.

Game Day - Played at 146 Bryants Rd Cornubia QLD 4128

Competition Games - Saturdays, approx 10am
Net Set Go Games - Saturdays, approx 9am
Super Heroes - Saturdays time TBC

Fees include your playing dress and a free training singlet 🎽 for every player.

Do not forget to use your Fair Play vouchers where applicable at time of registration to reduce your fees even further.

If you are interested in playing with the Hornets in 2025 NOMINATE using the link below;

2025 Hornets Player Nomination

International Mother Language Day

Today is International Mother Language Day. It is a day to celebrate the many languages that we share at Hills...29 at last count!

Today we recognise the important cultural diversity at Hills. We encourage our community to be proud of their heritages, share their cultures, and spread the word - in any language - that multilingualism is a gift which we should treasure.

Did you know that there are 'approximately 8,324 languages in the world today, many are at risk of disappearing due to globalisation and societal changes'? (UN.org) The loss of mother languages means a loss of cultural and personal identity. In the fast-paced world we live in, let's encourage language diversity and celebrate all this brings to our multi-cultural community.

EAL/D Parent Meeting

Hills International College prides itself on being an inclusive community for all students and families. We are extending our program of support for EAL/D students. EAL/D refers to English as an Additional Language or Dialect. This means students who do not speak English as their first language.

We know that many of our parents and guardians speak more than one language and may not have English as their first language. This is amazing! Supporting our families is just as important as supporting our students, because we believe that education is a partnership.

Hills College invites the parents and guardians of our students who speak other languages to a workshop, with details as follows:

• EAL/D Parent Workshop, for parents who speak English as a second/third language
• Thursday 27 February
• 3:30 – 4:30pm
• Ground floor, Resource Centre
• Fun strategies will be shared to support your child with English learning at home

Please send an email to vanessa.newbery@hills.qld.edu.au if you would like to attend. Together, we can work to help our amazing multi-lingual learners.

Homestay at Hills

Term 3 is shaping up to be a busy time for international visitors at Hills. We will welcome many short stay individual visitors, as well as some returning sister school visitors from Japan and China. I am seeking more homestay families to accommodate these young visitors. Please email me for more information!

Mrs Vanessa Newbery

Head of International Programs

vanessa.newbery@hills.qld.edu.au

Q: Why did the students throw their watches out the classroom window?

A Bit About the Hills College P & F

The Hills College Parents & Friends (P & F) Community plays a vital role in fostering a strong sense of community and collaboration between families, staff, and the school leadership. The P & F provides a platform for parents to contribute to their child's education experience, share ideas, and work together to support the school’s goals by:

•  Building Community – Strengthening connections between parents, teachers, and students to create a supportive and inclusive school environment.

•  Fundraising and School Support – Organising events and initiatives to raise funds for school projects, resources, and improvements that benefit all students.
•  Advocacy and Communication – Acting as a voice for parents, offering feedback and suggestions to school leadership, and ensuring families stay informed and engaged.
•  Volunteering and Involvement – Encouraging parents to take an active role in school life, whether through helping at events, supporting extracurricular activities, or contributing skills and expertise.

Ultimately, the P & F is about working together to enhance the educational journey for all students while building a positive and engaged school community. Every community member is an important part
of this, so we encourage all parents to get involved, whether by attending meetings, volunteering at events, or simply sharing your ideas. Together, we can make a real difference!

If you have any questions about the P & F, how you can get involved or have something you’d like to raise, please feel free to reach out to any of our Committee Members, attend one of our quarterly meetings or you can email us at secretary@hillspf.com

About the Committee
Our P & F Committee is made up of a dedicated group of parents who are passionate about supporting our school community. Each member brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives, but we all share a common goal—to enhance the learning environment for our children and foster a strong sense of connection between families, staff, and the school.

As volunteers, we work together to organise events, fundraise for important school projects, and advocate for parents and students. We believe that by collaborating with the school and engaging with fellow families, we can create a positive and supportive community where every child thrives.

Meet the Committee
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing each of our P & F Committee members, sharing a little about who we are, why we got involved, and what we love about being part of the school community.

We’re excited for you to get to know the faces behind the committee and look forward to working together to support our school!

President: Adam Healey
I am in my seventh year at Hills and currently serving my second year as President of the Hills College P & F Committee. I have two boys at the school, and as a family, we are deeply committed to seeing our children complete their schooling in a supportive and nurturing environment from Prep to Year 12.

I joined the P & F to be involved at a grassroots level, ensuring that the values and sense of community we chose for our children are upheld. I firmly believe that volunteering my time allows me to contribute
meaningfully to the school community and advocate for positive future improvements within the school itself. I personally would love to see more trade-based programs or specialist classes, like woodworking, introduced at Hills and am passionate about continuing to campaign for this.

When I’m not volunteering at the school (or campaigning for a woodworking classroom), I work full time running a Commercial Van Fit Out business, but I always make time for our shared family interests and of course fishing!

If you ever want to chat about how you can help support our school community or volunteer with the P & F, please don’t hesitate to grab me for a chat or email me at president@hillspf.com.

Treasurer: Susan Drysdale
Our family joined Hills College in 2019, and we’ve enjoyed being part of this wonderful community ever since. My eldest, Albie is in Year 6 and Holly is in Year 5, and I love seeing them grow and thrive in such a supportive environment.

Being a member of the Hills College P & F Committee has been a fantastic way to connect with other parents and contribute to school life. I believe that an engaged and active parent community helps strengthen the school experience for all our children, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved.

Outside of school, I work full time as an Accountant (which I promise is just as boring as it sounds!) at a local accountancy business. In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and I’ve recently taken up crocheting as a way to unwind while also getting those creative neurons firing.

I look forward to another great year with the P & F and always enjoy a chat, whether it’s about school, books, or my latest crochet project.

Secretary: Brenda Healey
Both of my children (currently in Year 6 and Year 3) have attended Hills College since Prep, and it has been wonderful to watch them grow in such a supportive community. Joining the P & F Committee was a great way for me to meet other parents, build connections, and contribute to the school in a meaningful way.

I believe that being involved where my children learn and grow shows them how much I value their environment and wellbeing. Volunteering allows me to play an active role in shaping their school experience while also giving back to the community that supports them.

While I work full time for our family business in Commercial Van Fit Outs, I am fortunate to also have the flexibility to participate in all the fun and activities that come with being part of the Hills College family and I look forward to continuing to be involved and making a positive impact for my children and yours!

If you'd like to chat or learn more about the P & F, what we do, or how you can get involved, come say hi anytime, or if you’d prefer you can always reach out to me at secretary@hillspf.com or on 0422 087 403.

Social Media Co-ordinator: Shanna Watson

Our family has been part of the Hills College community since 2019, with our children currently in Year 6 and Year 2. What initially drew us to Hills was its strong sense of community and the values it upholds, and we feel privileged that our boys get to learn and grow in such a supportive, caring, and community-focused environment.

Over the years, my husband and I have actively contributed to the Hills P & F, attending meetings and volunteering our time for various events and initiatives. Last year, I took our involvement a step further by joining the P & F Committee, and it has been incredibly rewarding to be part of discussions that shape our school community, fundraising efforts, and school improvement projects.

Being involved allows me to help foster a positive and nurturing environment for our children while advocating for meaningful changes and enhancements within the school. It’s a privilege to support and
contribute to the ongoing development of a place that means so much to our family.

Outside of my P & F role, I run a Marketing Consultancy & Digital Media business while also supporting my husband in managing his Construction business. When I’m not working or volunteering, I love spending time with my family—camping, exploring, and making lifelong memories together.

General Member: Ceris Bowtell
Our family has been part of the Hills College community for many years, with my two eldest children currently in Year 3 and Year 2, and another set to join in 2027. As a regular relief teacher at Hills, I have the privilege of working across all year levels, from Prep to Year 12, which gives me a unique perspective on the school environment and the students’ experiences.

I joined the P & F to have a voice in our school community and to help represent families who may not always have the opportunity to share their thoughts. I believe in fostering a strong, connected school
environment where all families feel heard and supported.

When I’m not wrangling kids—whether my own or yours—you’ll find me working towards creating a productive hobby farm to sustain our family. It’s a project that brings me joy and a sense of purpose, much like being part of the Hills community.

A: Because they wanted to make time fly!