Hillcrest News

#wedodifferent

Our renovation has reached the next stage of opening with students and staff now accessing the external undercover area. The opportunity for outdoor learning and extra space for play have been warmly welcomed with many students on the first day of opening remarking how excited they were to finally be able to play in the space.

Over the next few weeks, we will work to open the spiderweb play equipment, new access ramp down from Terrace Hall and stairs down from Level 2 so students in Years 5&6 can access the outdoor space more easily.

#wedocare

On Friday 12 February we celebrated Appreciation Day as a College and the MLC students demonstrated their care and love for each other through a variety of activities on the day. Possibly the most popular activity was the Wall of Appreciation where students could write a short note to thank someone who had impacted their lives. It was amazing to see how many students wrote notes thanking their teachers for their efforts which I know was well received by all staff involved.

#wedoworship

A reflection from the first four weeks that has created a lasting impact on me personally has been my time spent in MLC Gathering. It is incredible to watch young adolescents share their testimony, celebrate their faith and love for Jesus Christ, and get up and dance and sing to worship music with no hesitation. We are so lucky to be able to grow together through our faith in a Christian College and I look forward to being inspired by more of our students in Gathering through the rest of the year.

Blessings

Darren Rackemann
Head of Middle Learning Community

As the heavens open to some heavy rain it was great timing the MLC outdoor area was able to be opened enabling students additional areas to play, eat and socialise. Students enjoyed sitting on the new outdoor settings or took to the courts for some ball sports during the morning break on Friday, 19 February as a heavy downpour drenched the open areas. We look forward to the various uses this flexible space offers both the MLC and the College.

Our Year 5-6 students have participated in a range of Surf Life Saving activities as part of the Surf Smart Program. With weather forcing students inside our Year 5 classes focussed on beach safety including putting people in the recovery position and safety procedures along with the steps for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Thanks to Dr. Cameron Stelzer for visiting our Lumos students on Wednesday 17 February and facilitating a special writing workshop. Author, Dr Cameron, encouraged our students in their creative writing and used various examples and activities to develop their skills. Some of the activities included writing to describe our five senses within the story and creating a “what if” challenge for students to write about. Students had a great time and look forward to the amazing creative stories students will create. (Also posted in JLC for Year 3/4 Lumos)

In the Senior Learning Community, we aspire to deliver young people to society who are:

• Educated and prepared for success in their personal, professional and spiritual life
• Equipped with the knowledge to discern what is good, the skills to demonstrate self-discipline and integrity, and the spirit to live with compassion
• Empowered to commit themselves to action for a better society
• Energised to live the truth of the gospel of Jesus in the service of God

We do this through the programs we implement which are underpinned by our culture of care. The College’s Strategic Plan provides us with the key focus areas and priorities on which we are developing our improvement agenda for the next few years and the 2021 SLC Annual Operational Plan. Based upon the feedback from the parent and student surveys last year, there will definitely be a focus on learning and the student experience.

Speaking of the student experience, I watched a rehearsal for the musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. The students were amazing. Tickets are on sale and are selling fast, I recommend you purchase your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

Co-Curricular

I encourage all students to get involved in the co-curricular program at the college.  We have a range of activities on offer including the Duke of Edinburgh program, Kokoda Challenge, a plethora of music, choral and sporting groups. I believe that you get out of life what you put in and the same applies to College life; You get out of your school experience what you put in.

I trust your child has settled into their routines and if you have any concerns, please contact your child’s Life Group Teacher as we want to ensure your child has a great experience and would like to address any concerns as they arise.

Jason Day
Head of Senior Learning Community

Jerseys

You may have noticed a slightly different uniform being paraded by our Year 12s as our Class of 2021 recently received their Jerseys. The Year 12 Jerseys, which are seen as a right of passage for our Year 12s in their final year at the College, were presented their jerseys by Mr Day, Mr Colefax with the Heads of House on Monday 15 February. Our seniors proudly posed for their traditional jersey photos to mark the milestone. We trust they will wear them with pride and be a keepsake from their last year at Hillcrest, our Class of 2021.

College Uniform

At the start of each year, it is important to be reminded of the expectations surrounding our College Uniform.  At Hillcrest, we see our students as ambassadors for our College and therefore ask students to dress and act in a manner that positively reflects our College community.  Our uniform policy is available on our website and will soon be updated for a 2021 version to reflect some minor corrections and to provide greater clarity.  Our 2021 uniform policy will include some clarifications that have been made regarding our hat policy which are mentioned below.

HAT POLICY – FORMAL UNIFORM

When wearing the formal uniform, it is compulsory for Years 9-12 students to wear the supplied College Formal hat to and from school. (The College is aware of a delay in the supply of Formal Hats for our Year 9, 10 and new students.  We hope to have this rectified as soon as possible. All other years should be adhering to the requirements.

HAT POLICY – SPORT UNIFORM

Students must wear a College hat or cap during outdoor practical Physical Education lessons, sporting activities and when participating in activities that are held in the sun. It is compulsory for all students to own the College bucket hat which is to be worn at all major carnivals, however, students may also purchase the College sports cap which can be worn during all other activities that are not house-based.

Following on from House Camps and the SLC Swimming Carnival another House competition has been highly anticipated… the legendary SLC Dodgeball competition. A fast and furious competition, this House event was held during the two breaks on Wednesday 18 February.

Final points and ranking will be announced early next week in the SLC Community Celebration (Assembly) but students had a great time either participating or cheering their House or peers and Greene House were the last ones standing for both the Years 9-10 and Years11-12. Please see some of the Year 9-10 & Year 11-12 images below.