"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:6-8
Jeff Davis
Executive Head of College
Executive Head of College, Jeff Davis shares an update on the final few weeks of the term and the Easter message.
Blessings
Culture and Wellbeing
Service at Hillcrest
Service is one of the core values across our College. Staff and students use their skills, talents and gifts in service of our community and beyond. When we look at the biblical underpinning of service we see that serving others is an important outworking of faith.
Matthew 20:26-28 says, “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant … just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
We build a culture of service throughout our communities. This is outworked through a variety of ways across the College including serving each other:
- In our life groups, classrooms and the playground
- Through running sports days, volunteering at BBQs, mentoring younger students
- By using our skills to help others in a supportive environment.
We also move beyond our College into our broader community and encourage our students to serve others through:
- Addressing local needs and volunteering. It is a delight to see so many of our students volunteering their time and energy in Surf Life Saving, coaching junior sports, cadets and other community groups.
- Partnering with schools and community groups as part of our Missions programs in Cooktown (Year 9), Palm Island (Year 11) and Sherwood Cliffs (Year 12). Year 8 will also launch their first missions trip to Tara later in the year. These service experiences provide students with an opportunity to develop empathy, as well as serving others on a larger scale. Students are involved in a range of activities from building gardens, backyard clean-ups for people in need, running wellbeing and active programs in schools, serving in churches and running outreach events.
- Partnering with Effective Aide. Effective Aide International has been empowering children through education and community development projects since 2002. They deliver formal education to thousands of children in refugee camps and internally displaced communities on the Thai/Myanmar border and support teacher education in this region. This week many families supported Effective Aide through our chocolate drive and we look forward to sending staff and students over to support Effective Aide physically at it becomes safe to do so.
- Exploring new opportunities. Later in the year we will partner with Reedy Creek Baptist Church to conduct a Ping-Pong-A-Thon and raise awareness around child slave labour across our world and raise funds for children to be rescued and rehabilitated.
There are many opportunities to instil the value of service within our students throughout their journey at Hillcrest, firstly by serving one another, then our local community and beyond. We pray students experiences’ here empower and equip them to serve their communities beyond school and well into their adult lives.
Toby the Therapy Dog
Toby the Therapy dog continues to be a much loved member of our Hillcrest community. Toby is certain to greet you with a wagging tail and happy puppy-dog eyes. Wherever he goes, students flock to pat him, talk to him, scratch his tummy and give him hugs. He brings a dose of joy wherever he goes. This term, Toby has been found hanging out at the MLC courtyard before school, playing in the cowshed at break time or running around the oval on lunch breaks. Toby loves to visit classrooms, or drop in on students waiting to sit exams. He loves having students visit him at the Wellbeing Hub, where he is a popular and valued member of our Wellbeing Team. Toby was delighted to receive his first piece of school uniform this week – a collar and tie, handmade by Year 7 student Pip McFadzen. Thanks Pip!
From the ELC
From before birth, children are connected to family, community, culture and place. Their earliest development and learning takes place through these relationships, particularly within families, who are children’s first and most influential educators. Experiencing belonging – knowing where and with whom you belong – is integral to human existence. Children belong first to a family, a cultural group, a neighbourhood and a wider community. Belonging acknowledges children’s interdependence with others and the basis of relationships in defining identities. In early childhood, and throughout life, relationships are crucial to a sense of belonging. This past week as an Early Learning Community, we have celebrated Harmony Week. It is a celebration of cultural diversity and shares the message that ‘everybody belongs’; aiming to promote inclusivity, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. We celebrated the rich diversity of our community within which we all belong. We were blessed to share greetings in many languages with our children, eagerly teaching each other how to say hello in their family’s cultural language, and have our amazing ELC Team share their culture and stories. Miss Sylvia and Miss Katja wore traditional African dress and shared stories from their time in Zambia and Uganda. Being from Finland, Miss Katja added a little ‘Finnish’ flavour to the stories. Miss Lydia shared Samoan traditions and taught us traditional songs, Miss Monica taught us about South American cuisine and we all shared stories of our cultural ancestors. To top off the fun, we had our resident ‘Bee Keeper’ and Head of Resource Centres, Mr Wotton share information on bees. The children were thrilled to see him arrive in his protective clothing (complete with head gear), learn from him, see inside a real bee hive and taste honey fresh from the bees. It was a wonderful experience for the children and staff alike and such a special opportunity to build community and share with each other. What an amazing community to bee-long to! As Term 1 draws to a close, from our ELC family to yours, our prayer for you this Easter is to find time to rest and recharge over the break and remember Jesus’ sacrifice and all that He has brought into our world. Have a safe and wonderful Easter!
Blessings
Michelle Cecil
Director of Early Learning Community
Director of Early Learning Community
What’s been happening in ELC
Effective Aid Chocolate Drive
As a Christian College, we believe in being practical in empowering our students to have opportunities to serve and help others, while shining the light and love of Jesus locally, nationally and into disadvantaged, isolated and impoverished communities around the world. We believe this is essential in developing a Hillcrest student.
Hillcrest has been working in partnership with Effective Aid International (EAI) for over 18 years by sending student teams and finances to support building into the lives of displaced children in refugee camps, orphanages and poverty-stricken villages along the border of Thailand and Myanmar. This support enables EAI to deliver a loving, caring and quality education to the children of Thailand and Myanmar, along with building community facilities, meeting practical health and basic food needs.
This week, we launched our Effective Aid fundraiser with the delivery and distribution of chocolate boxes. This included unloading the truck of 700 boxes (in the rain) and distributing across the College. The truck driver was blown away by our students and even wanted to take a video of the safe, creative and effective unloading of the truck (an offer we had to kindly decline). We know Effective Aid makes a huge difference in the Myanmar/Thailand border areas and we are delighted to serve them with this chocolate drive.
The $60 collected for each box is to be made via this link as we cannot collect cash at this time.
We thank you in advance for your contribution in partnering with us for this worthwhile cause of providing an education for the children of Myanmar. Through love and education, we are helping change a nation. Should you have any queries, please contact fundraising@hillcrest.qld.edu.au.
From the Head of the JLC
For those of you who may not know, the Junior Learning Community is very honoured to have a wonderful team of tutors who support students along their literacy journey. Our team of dedicated tutors work one-on-one with those children who need a little extra support to make the literacy connections needed for reading, writing, and comprehending. Research has shown, very clearly, that regular short, sharp bursts of explicit training results in tremendous gains for the language learner.
Our support program is called Word Warriors and has been developed over the years via the input of various professionals in the life of the College. The Deputy Head of JLC – Curriculum and Head of Learning Support oversee the operations of the program and track student progress over the academic year.
In 2022, and to our delight, Mrs Peta-Michelle is bringing her wealth of experience and knowledge as a tutor and support educator, to the Word Warriors program. She has been fundamental in taking the program to a whole new level of resourcing, professional development, and student tracking; we are so blessed by both her passion and input. The recent Word Warrior Tutor Training session that Peta-Michelle ran, saw the room filled with games and activities, lovingly created by her and readily available for the tutors to borrow and apply to their sessions. The team is very excited about the new and innovative ideas on offer and how they will support the children in fun and developmentally appropriate ways.
Thank you, Peta-Michelle, for everything you have already brought to the table this year, and to the inspired tutors who will use these ideas and structures as they support our wonderful Word Warrior children.
Mike Collins
Deputy Head Junior Learning Community – Curriculum
What’s been happening in the JLC
Year 3 construct Australian Landmarks
In 3TC our DCL project was learning about Australia and making maps of Australian landmarks. We had to do two natural ones like Uluru and Wave Rock and two manmade landmarks like the Big Pineapple and Sydney Opera House. I loved making the Great Barrier Reef – Ava Hannant
In Year 3 we made wonderful maps of Australia! The room was so messy we were all done so we did a five minute clean up and just like that it was morning tea. I felt so grateful and happy when I was finished. I loved it when we got all crafty for a day. I hope we get to do it again in Year 3!!! – Kiara Lydster
Year 3 had to make a map of Australian Landmarks. We got to design and make our map with 3D landmarks. We needed two manmade and two natural landmarks. I made the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru as my natural and Sydney Opera House and the Q1 as my man made. I loved making the Great Barrier Reef because I got to make fish and water and coral. – Ivy Crews
We have been learning about maps of Australia and we were making two manmade and two natural landmarks. I did the Big Pineapple, Great Barrier Reef , Sydney Opera House and Wave Rock. I loved making the Big Pineapple even though it was hard! – Evie Mayhew
In 3TC we are learning about Australia. Last week we were learning to make landmarks from Australia like the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Big Pineapple. – Sofia Allender
Year 1 Swimming Week
Last week, Year 1 completed their Learn to Swim intensive week at Somerset College. This involved five lessons over a week to improve swim confidence, stroke correction and improved muscle memory due to repetition. Learning to swim is an important milestone in the junior years, especially living on the Gold Coast where we are surrounded by water. Other year levels in the JLC will complete their swimming week in Term 4.
Year 1-2 Sing in Sign Language
Last week at the JLC Gathering, our Year 1 and 2 Gathering Student Team performed for us all using sign language to sing Jesus Name Above All Names (music by Psalty). Our students put lots of work in to learn the signs and did such a wonderful job. We hope you enjoy it too.
Easter Gathering
Our annual Easter Gathering was a wonderful way to end Term 1. Our JLC students, along with our Kindy kids, came together to focus on the true meaning of Easter. The room was decorated with art that has been created by JLC students over the last few weeks. One art piece created was a stain glassed window which looked amazing at the light shone through it. Students learned about Jesus’ death on the cross, his miraculous resurrection and how this has covered all our sins and bought us eternal life.
FLARE i-Time
Year 3/4 i-Time students recently had the opportunity to have a tutorial on how to operate our 3D printers. They were blessed to have Miss Jorgensen teach them the basic skills in order to assist them with their projects. Students were amazed to witness how products can simply be created from 3D printers. Marlin Jaques wondered if the 3D printer was able to make bones for injured people, and Julian Mastaglia asked if he could make a sign for his project relating to the harsh impacts of blue rays from screen time. Next term students will be designing their own creations using the knowledge from the lesson, and it will be exciting to see their ideas transform.
3/4 Lumos back in the 1800s
For HASS this term, the students in 3/4 Lumos researched an aspect of Australian history during the 1800-1900s and presented this in an oral report. They prepared a timeline coupled with a collection of primary and secondary sources demonstrating continuity or change over time. Technology was used to design a time capsule to house them within.
Year 2 Design and Make Sustainable Playgrounds
This term our Year 2 students have been busy planning and designing sustainable playgrounds. Their brief has been to use natural materials, ensure sun safety and create a fun playground for kids to enjoy. An added challenge was to create a design that Mrs Gittins might be persuaded to create in the current nature play area outside the Bus Library. Our students have been so creative and had the chance last week to bring their playgrounds to life in the form of a miniature model of their design. Great job Year 2!
School Holiday Activities
Andrew and Damian from Australian’s reality television program, Lego Masters, along with The Oasis Shopping Centre, are inviting children of all ages to interact and create their own city building out of Lego. This will be joined with other constructions to create a mega city. For more information and to buy tickets, please see attached flyer.
Dates: 11-14 April and 16-17 April
Time: 11am–12pm and 12:30–1:30pm
Cost: $15/child | 40 children per group
Click here to buy tickets.
Effective Aid Chocolate Drive
As a Christian College, we believe in being practical in empowering our students to have opportunities to serve and help others, while shining the light and love of Jesus locally, nationally and into disadvantaged, isolated and impoverished communities around the world. We believe this is essential in developing a Hillcrest student.
Hillcrest has been working in partnership with Effective Aid International (EAI) for over 18 years by sending student teams and finances to support building into the lives of displaced children in refugee camps, orphanages and poverty-stricken villages along the border of Thailand and Myanmar. This support enables EAI to deliver a loving, caring and quality education to the children of Thailand and Myanmar, along with building community facilities, meeting practical health and basic food needs.
This week, we launched our Effective Aid fundraiser with the delivery and distribution of chocolate boxes. This included unloading the truck of 700 boxes (in the rain) and distributing across the College. The truck driver was blown away by our students and even wanted to take a video of the safe, creative and effective unloading of the truck (an offer we had to kindly decline). We know Effective Aid makes a huge difference in the Myanmar/Thailand border areas and we are delighted to serve them with this chocolate drive.
The $60 collected for each box is to be made via this link as we cannot collect cash at this time.
We thank you in advance for your contribution in partnering with us for this worthwhile cause of providing an education for the children of Myanmar. Through love and education, we are helping change a nation. Should you have any queries, please contact fundraising@hillcrest.qld.edu.au.
From the Head of the MLC
After eight weeks of face to face learning and dealing with COVID-19, multiple flooding events and lots of forced change, we are almost ready to take a well earned break. While students and staff are both tired from the current season, there has still been some great examples of student learning that has been driven in alignment with our College values. The values of Integrity, Respect and Courage have been on display through activities such as Appreciation Day, Bullying. No Way! Day, Year 5 Camp, Student Conferences, Chocolate Drive, student devotions during Gathering, the list goes on and on. As the Head of MLC, I am really proud of the way we have stuck together as a team and managed to produce such rich learning experiences while dealing with many factors that have influenced the College and community from across the region and more broadly across the world.
The reason for this upcoming break is obviously based in the fact that Jesus died for our sins on a cross and then defeated death and the devil by rising from His grave. With the events of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday it is a time that Christians from around the world come together to give thanks and is a very significant foundation of our shared faith. Please take the time over the upcoming Holy Week to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us and the eternal gift that has been presented by fulfilling the prophecy.
I hope you and your family find restoration during this period and come back ready for another exciting, and hopefully less interrupted, Term 2 as we continue to strive for Excellence in Christ.
With some cooler weather heading our way in Term 2, it is the right time to make sure that your child has the correct College jumper to wear with their formal uniform. The sports jacket is not to be worn with the formal uniform so please reach out to our wonderful team in the Uniform Shop and have the correct uniform ready for the winter months.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the work of all of our staff during this tough season and pay particular thanks to Katie Ryan and Jennifer Lavigne who are leaving us. Katie is relocating to support her family down south. We wish her all the best in her new journey. Jennifer is on maternity leave and we can’t wait to see the baby photos come through early next term. Ladies your support across the College has been remarkable over the past few years. We wish you God’s blessing as you both start new chapters in your lives.
Praying your Easter will be bright with the hope and joy of our risen Saviour.
Blessings
Darren Rackemann
Head of Middle Learning Community
What’s been happening in the MLC
Year 8 Integers
Last week, Year 8 were learning about adding and subtracting negative integers. We used balloons to represent positive integers and then added “clips” which represented weight and negative integers. This demonstrated that when you add a negative integer it makes the balloon go down the number line.
By the end of this exercise, students had not only had fun but were able to use mental and written strategies to solve negative number problems.
SECRET Skills: Get Involved
Last week, we explored the SECRET Skill ‘Get Involved’ during our SECRET Skills Lessons. I started to think of ways I could set an example for my peers, and I was blessed with the opportunity to share at MLC Gathering around the
topic of forgiveness. When I was asked to speak, I felt excited, but I still had my nerves around the delivery of my speech as I knew I was speaking about an important topic and I really wanted to leave an impact on my peers. I focused a great amount of my time into ensuring that the script for the speech was perfect and memorable. In the end, I was confident in my ability to present. I know that I am a strong public speaker, and I was very passionate about the topic, and therefore, felt ready to present. I strived to do well when delivering my message and I believe that I succeeded in that. Public speaking can be a difficult skill for some people, and it takes time to grow in confidence; however, I hope I was a positive example to my peers. I hope that my presentation at Gathering not only left a mark on the other students, but also encouraged them to become more confident public speakers. I know the whole community will be stronger, if we all feel confident speaking about the topics that really matter.
Claudia Branson (Year 8)
Year 5 Camp Report
Sun, Sea and Support! These three words sum up our amazing Year 5 Camp experience. We were blessed with perfect sunny weather and enjoyed adrenalin-producing water activities at Tallebudgera Creek and Palm Beach. Our fitness level also increased as we did a lot of walking from the CYC site to the different activities. One day we clocked up over 22 000 steps! We all tried new things and participated in dragon boating, giant supping, tubing, body boarding and team games. It was beautiful to see how supportive everyone was of each other using lots of encouraging words and caring for each other. We had a ball and many new friendships were formed.
For some of the students, this was their first school camp experience and they are already looking forward to the next school camp. Below are some thoughts on Year 5 camp by student, Bella Mestry.
Year 5 Camp
Last week, Year 5 went on camp at CYC Burleigh, and had a great time. I went on the Year 5 camp for a lifetime experience. We went to the beach for camp. Before camp I was really nervous and its okay if you were to. It’s natural.
Everyone made lots of new friends. We also went for night and morning beach walks. My belief (and most likely everyone else’s) is that those walks were tiring, exhausting, painful, beautiful and they definitely helped us to be fit.
There was a lot of activities and all of them were fun. I didn’t like tubing because the boat went really fast. . . but that’s my opinion. A lot of people liked it. Body boarding was my favourite. Well. . . one of my favourites. Dragon boating was really fun, giant SUP boarding was great too, Initiative games was fun and all of those activities helped us boost our teamwork. I would like to thank all the amazing teachers and parents that made this possible. Thank you to my parents for letting me go on this trip. Thank you MLC teachers that organised this trip and also to all my friends’ parents that allowed them to go so we can enjoy this experience together.
Bella Mestry (Year 5)
6 Lumos Inquiry Project
On Thursday afternoon in Week 10, Year 6F presented their HaSS Inquiry Project, Federation: Cause and Effect, to their parents and some other classes. The students were exploring Australia’s past, and had to develop their very own Key Inquiry Question from some topics surrounding our nation’s Federation. These topics included WW1 and the Boer War, Immigration, The Women’s Suffrage, Racism, Indigenous Australians, and many more. The parents were amazed at how prepared the students were and how their presentations kept them engaged and entertained. The students were extremely proud to showcase their hard work, which consisted of videos, infographics, skits, PowerPoints and even dances to present their work.
Solomon Tamou, 6F (Lumos)
Hillcrest Partner with Industry for Water Sustainability
Students from Hillcrest Christian College, under the expert guidance of the City of Gold Coast, Griffith University, NNNCo and local tech company IoT, are using cutting-edge and recycled technologies to create a better ecosystem and awareness.
Students are able to use this technology to monitor their local College environment and make comparisons to other local data sources. Through the monitoring of the pond, and the creation of digital solutions to improve water quality and bio-diversity, Hillcrest students will be learning an array of concepts found in the Middle Learning curriculum including science, math and civics such as responsibility of individuals, government an industry around sustainability and water management.
The data collected from the monitoring system will be utilised throughout the Middle (Years 5-8) and Senior (Years 9-12) year levels and curriculum areas.
The read more about this exciting project click here.
Easter Gathering
Our annual Easter Gathering was a wonderful way to end Term 1. Our MLC students came together to focus on the true meaning of Easter with a meaningful program. Students enjoyed a talk from special guest speaker Courtney, from Newlife Church who spoke about the true meaning of Easter and that Hope has already come through the sacrifice Jesus made for us all.
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8
Effective Aid Chocolate Drive
As a Christian College, we believe in being practical in empowering our students to have opportunities to serve and help others, while shining the light and love of Jesus locally, nationally and into disadvantaged, isolated and impoverished communities around the world. We believe this is essential in developing a Hillcrest student.
Hillcrest has been working in partnership with Effective Aid International (EAI) for over 18 years by sending student teams and finances to support building into the lives of displaced children in refugee camps, orphanages and poverty-stricken villages along the border of Thailand and Myanmar. This support enables EAI to deliver a loving, caring and quality education to the children of Thailand and Myanmar, along with building community facilities, meeting practical health and basic food needs.
This week, we launched our Effective Aid fundraiser with the delivery and distribution of chocolate boxes. This included unloading the truck of 700 boxes (in the rain) and distributing across the College. The truck driver was blown away by our students and even wanted to take a video of the safe, creative and effective unloading of the truck (an offer we had to kindly decline). We know Effective Aid makes a huge difference in the Myanmar/Thailand border areas and we are delighted to serve them with this chocolate drive.
The $60 collected for each box is to be made via this link as we cannot collect cash at this time.
We thank you in advance for your contribution in partnering with us for this worthwhile cause of providing an education for the children of Myanmar. Through love and education, we are helping change a nation. Should you have any queries, please contact fundraising@hillcrest.qld.edu.au.
Drama Festival 2022
We are seeking a group of serious actors from Years 7-12 who wish to perform in a professional production for the Gold Coast Secondary School’s Drama Festival competition.
Please email Ms Kelly Sparke if you have any questions on KSparke@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
Year 7 and 8 students must be successful in an:
Auditions Term 1 (Week 10) Monday, 28 March from 3-4.30pm in the Drama Studio
- Rehearsals each Thursday during sport/activity time from 1pm–3pm. Must choose this as an activity in Terms 2 and 3 if successful in the auditions.
- Additional after school rehearsals in Term 3 will be needed in the lead up to the completion:
-
- Thursday, 14 July – 3-5pm (Week 1)
- Thursday, 21 July – 3-5pm (Week 2)
- Thursday, 28 of July 3-5pm (Week 3)
- You must be available for the Drama Festival Competition on the evenings (after 5pm) of Thursday, 4 August, Friday, 5 August and Saturday, 6 August (TBA by the Festival) at a school venue on the Gold Coast (TBA by the Festival).
From the Head of the SLC
Term 1 Reflections
“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
This term will be another that we will remember for all the wrong reasons. COVID restrictions resulted in the cancellation of O Day and a disrupted start to the year with all students in Queensland learning from home. When we did return to campus, there were restrictions including mask wearing and large meetings including Assembly and Gathering had to be done virtually. House Camps and the Swimming Carnival were postponed as well. We were finally able to return to “normal” in Week 6 with the reintroduction of Assembly and Gathering in person and excursions back on the schedule. It was great to be able to hold our first SLC Performing Arts concert of the year, That’s Entertainment, where several students showcased their amazing talents for families to enjoy. Well done to all involved in running this great night.
As I write this article with one week of term to go, we are experiencing a spike in COVID cases due to the Omicron variant and there are warnings for another severe rain event, which impacted our House Day. While we have met and overcome each of these tests, we need to be strong and courageous, for the Lord our God is with us wherever we go.
I wish to thank staff for their efforts this term. They have been asked to pivot, sometimes at very short notice due to government declarations, and not only have they done that, but they have done that to the best of their ability, always ensuring the students were first and foremost. I cannot forget the students. They have also rapidly adapted to our ever-changing world and have continued to engage in the learning programs.
Year 11 and Year 12 students will receive a formal report at the end of this term. Year 9 and Year 10 students can view their results and feedback on assessments via Student Café. Parents can also view this data in Parent Lounge. Parents will have received communication about the Student / Parent / Teacher interviews early next term. I strongly encourage you to make use of this opportunity to discuss the progress of your student.
Easter is a reminder to us that there is hope after hardship. On Good Friday, Jesus was betrayed, trialled, beaten, rejected, and hung to die on a cross. His followers were confused, afraid and … hopeless. But on Sunday, a path to hope was revealed. Jesus rose back to life. His victory over death – and all the pain and hurt he experienced – gives us hope for our lives. Jesus offers to help us in our times of trouble, he gives us purpose for our lives today, and a promise for the future. Over this holiday, I hope you can attend a service to reflect on the meaning of this season.
Jason Day
Head of Senior Learning Community
What’s been happening in the SLC
Year 10 Mathematics
In Year 10 Maths this term, students have been exploring linear equations. Last week, we looked at what happens when you have two linear equations that intersect with each other. Students were challenged to demonstrate the solutions to these simultaneous equations using tape, out in the SLC courtyard.
House Day
On Tuesday our senior students were scheduled for a House day, to replace House camps that typically occur within the first week of school. Due to the severe rain experienced at this time, this event was postponed. But the students still managed to get together in House groups and gear up for the SLC swimming carnival. House spirit could be heard throughout the whole SLC with students keen to claim the House Spirit Award later in the week. SLC students also received their 40th Anniversary bags to celebrate 40 years of Hillcrest.
SLC Swimming Carnival
We are so grateful that the SLC Swimming Carnival went ahead this week! After significant rain, we had amazing weather and the conditions were ripe for some good old fashioned competition and House rivalry! Participation and House spirit were amazing with Taylor taking the win for House Spirit and Carmichael claiming sporting victory. The annual Chappy Challenge was a hit with Gideon Burnes taking out the win. The teachers vs students race was also a lot of fun. Big thanks to all involved and well done to all participants. Special thanks goes to Kirstin Coetzee for pulling together an amazing Swimming Carnival!
VIEW IMAGE GALLERY
Swimming Records broken for 2022
| Event | Old Record | New Record | |
| Ava Usher | 15yrs Butterfly | 33.54 | 31.67 |
| 15yrs Backstroke | 36.72 | 34.98 | |
| 15yrs Freestyle | 30.10 | 29.30 | |
| Halle Kapeechkin | 16yrs Butterfly | 32.51 | 32.43 |
| 16yrs Breaststroke | 39.03 | 37.11 | |
| 16yrs Freestyle | 29.51 | 29.10 | |
| Gideon Burnes | 17yrs Breaststroke | 35.90 | 30.48 |
SLC Easter Gathering
Our annual Easter Gathering was a wonderful way to end Term 1. Our SLC students came together to focus on the true meaning of Easter with a meaningful program put together by staff and students. The program started with a performance by Poce Voce, with student involvement high throughout the program. We heard a great Easter message and personal testimony from some of our SLC students, who reminded us about the price Jesus paid so our sins would be covered and we could have eternal life through Him.
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8
Year 10 Drama Performances ‘The 7 Stages of Grieving’
Year 10 Drama students have been studying and performing extracts from the play ‘The 7 Stages of Grieving’ by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman. This play is a proud milestone in Australian theatre history; a contemporary Indigenous performance text from the highly acclaimed Kooemba Jdarra. Appropriating western forms whilst using traditional storytelling, ‘The 7 Stages of Grieving’ gives emotional insight into Murri life. This one-woman show follows the journey of an Aboriginal ‘Everywoman’ as she tells poignant and humorous stories of grief and reconciliation. A powerful, demanding and culturally profound text, ‘The 7 Stages of Grieving’ is a celebration of Indigenous survival, an invitation to grieve publicly, a time to exorcize pain. It has a universal theme told through the personal experiences of one incredible character. Our students embraced Physical Theatre as their primary form and style, performed multiple roles and worked as a tight ensemble to tell the stories of this ‘Everywoman’ allowing their audience to understand the journey of our Australian Indigenous people a little more. Physical engaging, raw and and emotion – these students tackled the performances with such sensitivity and passion their audience was astounded! Well done Drama students!
Year 11 Physics
This term our Year 11 engineering students have been planning and creating bridges to be able to hold a significant amount of weight. Last week we had the chance to put these bridges to the test. Students took notes on what weight was the breaking point for their bridge and looked at ways to improve their structure in the future.
Year 9 History Culminating Reflective Learning Activity
Students engaged in a culminating reflective learning activity in Year 9 History classes by making an Industrial Revolution board game. The aim of the task was to revise the unit learning outcomes, to test the opposing team’s knowledge and reflect on another group’s game in relation to set criteria. Many groups combined a digital learning tool as part of their games. Students had a great time playing the games and revising their learning at the same time.
Effective Aid Chocolate Drive
As a Christian College, we believe in being practical in empowering our students to have opportunities to serve and help others, while shining the light and love of Jesus locally, nationally and into disadvantaged, isolated and impoverished communities around the world. We believe this is essential in developing a Hillcrest student.
Hillcrest has been working in partnership with Effective Aid International (EAI) for over 18 years by sending student teams and finances to support building into the lives of displaced children in refugee camps, orphanages and poverty-stricken villages along the border of Thailand and Myanmar. This support enables EAI to deliver a loving, caring and quality education to the children of Thailand and Myanmar, along with building community facilities, meeting practical health and basic food needs.
This week, we launched our Effective Aid fundraiser with the delivery and distribution of chocolate boxes. This included unloading the truck of 700 boxes (in the rain) and distributing across the College. The truck driver was blown away by our students and even wanted to take a video of the safe, creative and effective unloading of the truck (an offer we had to kindly decline). We know Effective Aid makes a huge difference in the Myanmar/Thailand border areas and we are delighted to serve them with this chocolate drive.
The $60 collected for each box is to be made via this link as we cannot collect cash at this time.
We thank you in advance for your contribution in partnering with us for this worthwhile cause of providing an education for the children of Myanmar. Through love and education, we are helping change a nation. Should you have any queries, please contact fundraising@hillcrest.qld.edu.au.
SPECIAL REPORT: Vaping and E-Cigarettes
Vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.
Although under 18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.
Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.
This Special Report highlights the facts around vaping and e-cigarettes and what are the potential risks. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the College for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Please check out this link to watch a special report on this important topic.
Channel 10 Ultimate Classroom TV Opportunity
Network 10 is shooting an action-packed competition show called Ultimate Classroom and they are looking for passionate Year 10, 11 and 12 Queenslanders to join their cast! Ultimate Classroom is a show where young people compete in epic challenges that put their passion and STEM skills to the test. Please see the flyer for more information. If you’re interested, be sure to apply before the closing date of 8 April, 2022.
School Holiday Skills Building Courses
If you are interesting in learning some new employability skills for work experience placements or potential employment opportunities, please see opportunities below:
FIRST AID & CPR
When: Monday, 4 April 2022 (9.00am – 2.00pm)
Where: Southport
Duration: 5 hours
How much: $99 per person
Enrol: HERE
More information: HERE
RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol)
When: Tuesday 5 April 2022 (9.00am – 12.30pm)
Where: Southport
Duration: 3.5 hours
How much: $40 per person
Enrol: HERE
More information: HERE
WHITE CARD QUALIFICATION
When: Wednesday, 13 April 2022
Duration: 8:30am – 2:30pm
How much: $65
Location: Gold Coast Trades College, 6 Hayter Street Currumbin Waters
To enrol, students need to complete an enrolment form and return it to Tracy Egan at Gold Coast Trades College.
Drama Festival 2022
We are seeking a group of serious actors from Years 7-12 who wish to perform in a professional production for the Gold Coast Secondary School’s Drama Festival competition.
Please email Ms Kelly Sparke if you have any questions on KSparke@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
Year 11 and 12 students must be successful in an:
Audition Term 2 Week 2 – Tuesday, 26 April from 3-6pm in the Drama Studio
- Rehearsals each Tuesday from 3pm-6pm on the following dates:
TERM 2
- Tuesday 17th May (wk 5)
- Tuesday 24th May (wk 6)
- Tuesday 31st May (wk 7)
- Tuesday 7th June (wk 8)
- Tuesday 14th June (wk 9)
3 WEEK BREAK – SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
TERM 3
- Tuesday 12th July (wk 1)
- Tuesday 19th July (wk 2)
- Tuesday 26th July (wk 3)
- Tuesday 2nd August (wk 4)
- Tuesday 9th August (wk 5)
- Tuesday 16th August (wk 6)
- Available for the Drama Festival Competition on the evenings (after 5pm till around 10pm) either Thursday, 18 August, Friday 19 August or Saturday, 20 August (TBA by the Festival) at a school venue on the Gold Coast (TBA by the Festival).
Year 9 and 10 students must be successful in an:
Audition Term 1 (Week 9) Monday, 21 March from 3-5pm in the Drama Studio.
- Rehearsals each Thursday during sport/activity time from 12.45pm – 3pm. Must choose this as an activity in Terms 2 and 3 if successful in the auditions.
- Additional after-school rehearsals in Term 3 will be needed in the lead up to the completion and these will be advised ASAP.
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- Thursday, 14 July 3-5.30pm (Week 1)
- Thursday, 28 July 3-5.30pm (Week 3)
- Thursday, 11 August 3-5.30pm (Week 5)
- You must be available for the Drama Festival Competition on the evenings (after 5pm) of WEEK 5 – Thursday, 11 August, Friday, 12 August and Saturday, 13 August (TBA by the Festival) at a school venue on the Gold Coast (TBA by the Festival).
Seeking Work Experience Providers
This year our Year 10 students will be participating in a Work Experience Program as part of their pathways journey. Students are required to find a provider in industry who would be a suitable match to their career goals. We are seeking any expressions of interest from the College Community to be part of this program as a Work Experience Provider. If you are self employed or work for an employer who would be interested in offering a work experience placement to one of our Year 10 students, we would love to hear from you!
Please contact Joelle McCully – Careers and Pathways Coordinator at jmccully@hillcrest.qld.edu.au or 07 5655 0930.
Co-curricular
That’s Entertainment
On Monday night this week our Performing Arts students put on a spectacular performance, That’s Entertainment, for parents, staff and community members. We were thoroughly entertained by the Wind Symphony, Bella Voce, Bel Canto, Volare Stage Band, a song and notable dance by Man Choir and the SLC Rock Band. There were also some amazing solo performances which were a hit too. Well done to everyone involved!
Duke of Edinburgh
Saturday morning proved to be a much nicer morning than we expected (rain, rain, go away!) Jessica Arden, Laila Chequer de Souza, Vincent Churches, Abby Edwards, Torrek Elbeb, Ella Henderson, Elizabeth Kerr, Lillee Mather-Glauser, Jessica Powell along with staff members Mrs Constantia Hill, Mrs Leanne Nunnink and Mr Paul Wotton were doing the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh International Award Practice Adventurous Journey at O’Reilly’s (Lamington National Park). Big backpacks were full of gear and we were ready to go.
All 12 of us neatly squeezed into two cars and a trailer for our gear. If you have never been to O’Reilly’s it is a reasonably short drive to Canungra, but once you pass O’Reilly’s Vineyard it becomes a convoluted, winding road that swaps between single lane, narrow two lanes and blind corners! However, we all arrived in one piece. After hoisting our backpacks onto our shoulders and quick photo and we were off to check out Mount Bithongabel Lookout – a good 6.5km away along the Border Track. The trek there was good to loosen the legs and certainly helped us find our hiking groove. Once there, the only thing we could see was mist and fog. It made for a surreal atmosphere, however the couple of leeches that waved “Hello!” on some select legs made for a level of heightened awareness. The trip back to base camp was solid walking!
Tents were pitched, beds prepared, and dinner cooked on the various burners (trangias, and mini gas kits). Bed was soon calling!
In the morning there was a lot more mist and the weather looked a little more moist – but not raining (whew!) We cooked/prepared breakfast, packed up the tents and were ready for our final hike for the weekend. We were off by 8:15am despite the 5:30am wakeup. The Box Forest Circuit is a lovely rainforest plunge down the mountainside and with the water that had been falling we saw plenty of waterfalls. A lunch break meant we were refuelled for the trek back up. The creek was high with plenty of fresh runoff, which meant there were a few wet feet after the several crossings we had to do and we slowly started to work our way back up the incline with lots of switchbacks in the path. At the one-hour-to-go mark the heavens let us know we weren’t getting away without a light baptism of rain. Nothing heavy, but steady and kept us cool as we completed the journey. I know many of the students were fine – but my calf muscles were definitely “not impressed” after a good four hours of more walking.
Interestingly the drive home was very quiet in my car with most snoozing. It was great hanging out with 11 awesome people – excellent job and well done Bronzers!
Mr Wotton
P.S. HELP!!! We are needing at least 7 or 8 more sit-on kayaks for our Silver Duke of Ed trip at the beginning of Term 2. Ideally quality kayaks either 1 or 2 seaters like these…
I am happy to come and pick them up from your residence and return them when we are finished. Please email me at pwotton@hillcrest.qld.edu.au or text me on 0408 514 758.
Success in Chess!
On Tuesday and Wednesday of Week 9, 15 students from Years 2-9 represented our College to compete in the Interschool Chess Tournament at Somerset College.
Each student played seven games of chess throughout the day and there was strong competition with around 150 students from more than 10 school around the Gold Coast competing. Our students showed great sportsmanship, incredible focus and attitude. Well done!
If there are students interested in representing Hillcrest in future chess tournaments, please contact Mrs Teresa McGuire (Teacher).
Secondary 7-12 competition (Wednesday):
Division A – Mitchell Bergoff
Division B – Seth Bolt
(Team 7th place) Thomas Darke (9th place and merit award)
Mark Bekker (9th place and merit award)
Division C – Sasha Lee
(Team 3rd place) Aidan Colgate (Merit award)
Timothy Gregory (5th place and merit award)
Issac Pitt (13th place)
Primary P-6 competition (Tuesday):
Division A – Ryo Noda (3rd place and merit award)
Darwin Huang
Division B – Elijah McGuire (4th place and merit award)
(Team 4th place) Joshua Rouse (12th place)
Samuel Liang
Andrey Waldmann (12th place)
Division C – Archer Byrnes
Student Achievements
Multiple Silvers for Ben Vickery
In the past month, Ben raced at the Queensland Little Athletics State Titles and achieved silver in both the 800m and 1500m. He has also won silver in the 1km beach run at the Queensland Surf Life Saving State Titles.
Ben’s goal is to compete at the World Champs in Bathurst in 2023. They are allowing a select group of juniors to participate and showcase this event. This year he is hoping to lower his personal best for 800m to below 2:19, to get the state record and to continue to develop as a runner.
Ben Vickery (Year 6) started tennis at the age of seven which he still continues to play today. He initially started running training to help him with his tennis fitness and quickly realised he had a talent for the sport. Ben became serious about running just 12 months ago. He currently trains with a coach five times and runs up to 50kms per week. Although running is an individual sport, he feels he is a part of a team of really nice boys. “We go to competitions together and encourage and push each other,” explains Ben.
We look forward to seeing Ben the front of the field at our College Cross Country held at the beginning of Term 2.
Other News
Hillcrest Partner with Industry for Water Sustainability
Students from Hillcrest Christian College, under the expert guidance of the City of Gold Coast, Griffith University, NNNCo and local tech company IoT, are using cutting-edge and recycled technologies to create a better ecosystem and awareness.
Students are able to use this technology to monitor their local College environment and make comparisons to other local data sources. Through the monitoring of the pond, and the creation of digital solutions to improve water quality and bio-diversity, Hillcrest students will be learning an array of concepts found in the Middle Learning curriculum including science, math and civics such as responsibility of individuals, government an industry around sustainability and water management.
The data collected from the monitoring system will be utilised throughout the Middle (Years 5-8) and Senior (Years 9-12) year levels and curriculum areas.
The read more about this exciting project click here.
P&F GM & AGM
Nominations are now open for the P&F Committee – AGM & GM to be held on the same night, Monday, 9 May 2022 from 7pm. Download form here.
Support for Ukraine
With the devastating war affecting the citizens of Ukraine, please consider supporting in one of the following ways.
1. Pray about it. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
2. Donate to one of many organisations who have people on the ground in the Ukraine and Poland providing housing, food, counselling and other needed resources. If you wish to donate through Baptist World Aid, click here.
Seeking Work Experience Providers
This year our Year 10 students will be participating in a Work Experience Program as part of their pathways journey. Students are required to find a provider in industry who would be a suitable match to their career goals. We are seeking any expressions of interest from the College Community to be part of this program as a Work Experience Provider. If you are self employed or work for an employer who would be interested in offering a work experience placement to one of our Year 10 students, we would love to hear from you!
Please contact Joelle McCully – Careers and Pathways Coordinator at jmccully@hillcrest.qld.edu.au or 07 5655 0930.
