‘Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt.’
Colossians 4:6 NKJV
Jeff Davis
Executive Head of College
As we reflect on week six, the first week all our students return, we also look forward to what is ahead for the rest of the year.
Year 1 – The Mighty Ant
This term our Year One’s have been investigating animal habitats. Students have been sharing their investigations through written and spoken information reports. In week six, our Year 1 students went on a mini beast discovery looking at the fascinating microscopic kingdom of Ants. Being careful to follow our ‘Code of Caring’ students searched the College grounds discovering how busy these miniature creatures are. From their amazing communties constructed of colonies and queens, these organised societies captured the attention of our Year 1’s and just how amazing these little workers are.
Joanie Flowers
Year One Teacher
Year 4 – Shelters
Students in Year 4 have been making shelters after learning about Australia’s Indigenous people’s and some of the ways they used natural materials to make shelters. After doing their own research a variety of techniques, structures and trial and error resulted in some amazing shelters.
With last week being Reconcillation Week one way we can work together is by providing education that helps build relationships and a community which values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures.
WELCOME BACK TO ALL STUDENTS
WELCOME BACK to all our students. While we appreciate some students found it similar to a “first day of school” and in many ways it was after the unprecedented circumstances. Walking around the College the community spirit has continued stronger than ever and we look with hope and anticipation to the rest of the term and year.
Our College Student Leaders wanted to welcome everyone back while ensuring students remain safe and healthy and created a short, fun video.
Year 7 – Light Them Up
Over the course of the April holidays three students competed in an online Scholar’s Cup event with over 500 students from all over the world. The competition was organised by various groups and ran according to the usual Scholar’s Cup conditions, utilising a range of virtual modes, and aptly named ‘Couch Camp’.
Jed Gregory, Jayden Adams and Eathan Waters, three of our most experienced Scholars Cup students, took their own initiative to register and participate in the events. Due to the number of participants from various parts of the world it created interesting timing situations, with some events taking place late at night. In the end the team did amazingly well against students that are equally as invested and passionate as they are.
Overall the team came 9th in the Senior division and Jayden Adams was the 3rd best overall individual scholar. Their other overall results were – Team Debate 4th, Team Writing 7th and Team Challenge 7th. Individually Jayden Adams also placed – Debate 4th, Challenge 5th and top in Literature Challenge.
This inspired them to run an online practice tournament for any Hillcrest SLC students that may be interested. They wrote questions, debate motions, writing prompts, opening and closing ceremonies, and much more. Over Week 3-6 of this Term, 21 students have been taking part in the ‘Pwaactice Round’. In the end the team of Giselle Chau, Mene Nel and Sarah Wilson were crowned champion team and Laila Chequer de Souza named the top individual scholar in writing, debating and the challenge.
Next up, they will be running a tournament for JLC Lumos in Week 9, before the preparation for the Gold Coast Scholars Cup in Semester 2 (date to be finalised) will begin.
Jacques du Toit
Director of Academic Operations
Senior Learning Community
College Sport
College sport resumes… well almost!!
Sport has partially returned with restrictions still applying to organised and contact sport. Despite these limitations students and coaches have been excited to continue their training. On Friday 29 May, we visited a portion of our Year 7 and 8’s Sophomore squad trialling for a spot in the Sophomore team. The selected squad later in the year will be heading to their first ever Junior State Championships in October. Training was held by Coaches Mr Pero Cameron and Mr Roger Hodgson along with some Senior Student mentors.
Our Sophmore squad were joined by a couple of our Seniors , to guide and support the younger players. This is an important part of College Sport at Hillcrest, which has positive benefits for not only players but a deliberate step to foster a competiitve but also a collaborative and united Sport Community.
Student Achievement
Lilly Rotunno on the path to NBA Women’s Academy
Featured in the Gold Coast Bulletin on the 8 May, 2020, Hillcrest student Lilly Rotunno comments in her interview about her aspirations for her future in basketball as one of 40 female athletes selected globally to attend the 2020 NBA Women’s Academy Next Generation Showcase set to be held in New Orleans.
While the camp has been cancelled due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, Lilly commented how she is used to setbacks and these provide her motivation and determination to improve herself and succeed.
With that focus and attitude we look forward to her continued sporting success.
General News
College Bus Services
Bus passes can be purchased online for the remainder of Term 2. Visit our College Bus Services webpage for full details.
Traffic and Parking
You can now turn right from both lanes turning from Old Coach Road onto Stanley Drive. This means you can turn left into the left-hand lane from Bridgeman Drive onto Old Coach Road and still be able to cross the M1 via Stanely Drive from the left-hand lane. This should enable you to merge quicker and assist the flow of traffic. (Refer Image)
- Please note the Private Estates when parking around the College. These are Private Properties and are not parking areas. Parking fines could be issued if you are not visiting a resident.
- Traffic has almost disappeared by 3:30 pm from most areas. If this time works for you and your child/en you may find it easy to do your pickup at this time. The Cowshed and Libraries are open after school which can assist with the short wait or for siblings to meet each other prior to a 3:30 pm pickup.
Resource Centres
The Senior Resource Centre (SRC), is intended to be used primarily by Years 7 to 12. It is open from 7:45am to 4:30pm each day. The College has organised for free tutoring (by past Hillcrest graduates who are now university students) after school until 4:30pm.
Junior Resource Centre (JRC)
The resources relevant to the Junior Learning Community are now located in the Junior Resource Centre located in Room 15. It is more central to the other co-curricular programs happening in the JLC both during the day and after school. There are a menagerie of animals that compliment the resources and make for some learning fun. We are referring to the finches, fish and stick insects, of course! We have been excited to see so many students choosing to come in throughout the day and enjoy reading.
The JRC is open before school each morning from 7:45am to 8:15am and during each break throughout the day. It is open afterschool until 4:30pm. The JRC is available for Kindy to Year 3 to visit with their parents before or after school.
Bus Library
The Bus Library is primarily used by the Preps, Years 1 and 2 students and can be accessed at lunchtimes.
