"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Jeff Davis
Executive Head of College
We welcome Jeff Davis back to the College after his Term 2 sabbatical. Below Jeff provides an update regarding plans moving forward for Hillcrest.
Culture and Wellbeing
In the final week of Term 2, a group of 40 (35 students and 5 staff) headed north to serve the people of Cooktown. The group consisted of mainly Year 9 students. We had been equipping and preparing our staff and students for most of the year; but nothing could have prepared us for the amazing week we had. The theme for the trip was “Growing Big Thoughts” and students outworked this by building relationships with students in local schools, running programs for students with songs, skits, testimonies, and even got their hands dirty by getting on the tools; building sandpits, cleaning sheds, and gardening at local homes. Our interactions led to a youth outreach night at the end of the week organised by our students. This gave them the opportunity to share faith and pray for many teenagers. The community was impacted and so were our students. It was a trip of a lifetime!
Nat Cochran
MLC Chaplain
During the holidays a group of Year 12 boys went on a mission trip to Sherwood Cliffs. Sherwood Cliffs is a Christian Community that helps men, families and adults get back on their feet, after falling on difficult times. Some of our Year 12 boys spent the week working on community projects such as house jobs and farm work to help serve the community and those in need. Sherwood Cliffs is looking forward to having a group from Hillcrest back again next year.
From the Director of the ELC
Our early learning community values the importance of meaningful engagement and collaboration between our College community and also the wider community.
Meaningful engagement and collaboration between our service and local community events strengthens quality outcomes for our Pre Kindy and Kindy children while also providing opportunities to enrich our Kindy curriculum.
Providing our children with the experiences of participating in national days such as Naidoc week, increases our own knowledge of our community, helps children learn about various cultures and promotes understanding and strengthens our own Early Learning Community, by collectively supporting and participating in wider community events.
As a service we endeavour to further support our children’s sense of belonging by providing them with experiences that continue to connect and engage children with their local community.
Alicia Shields
Director of Early Learning Community
What’s been happening in ELC
National Pyjama Day
Our Pre Kindy and Kindy children have recently participated in National Pyjama Day. National Pyjama Day is all about wearing your favourite pair of PJs to help The Pyjama Foundation raise much needed awareness and funds for children in foster care.
With the money raised from National Pyjama Day, we were able to help The Pyjama Foundation offer learning skills to more than 1000 children, fund educational resources and provide stable, positive relationships.
Naidoc Week
At the beginning of July, our Kindy celebrated the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with Naidoc Week.
Culture is central to a child’s individuality, identity, sense of belonging and success in lifelong learning. The Early Years Learning Framework ask educators to build upon children’s understandings of diversity, specifically Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Read more.
From the Head of the JLC
Welcome Back
It is wonderful to be back at school again following the three-week break. Term 3, despite the obvious uncertainties, has many exciting opportunities in both learning and connection to look forward to in the JLC. The teachers and wider staff team have utilised their expertise and creativity to plan and prepare some exciting units of work for the term ahead. I am very grateful for their passion and commitment to the children’s learning, connection and belonging at the College.
On Monday, the JLC came together for our weekly Gathering to share the message of Creation and join in the many songs and actions they all enjoy being part of. Gatherings occur every Monday in Terrace Hall from 1.40pm – 2.20pm.
Our Community Celebrations will resume this Friday. This is an opportunity to come together and recognise our students for their efforts across the College. This term all our Prep to Year 4 will be together each week as the JLC Community. Community Celebrations will occur each fortnight in the Terrace Hall from 8.30am – 9.00am. Both events are open to the community, and we welcome parents to join in. Please follow current COVID-19 regulations and sign in at Reception if you would like to attend.
I pray all students, staff and families have a fantastic Term 3 and I look forward to seeing you around the College, at pick-up, drop-off or one of the many events that we hold this term.
Christy Gittins
Head of JLC
What’s been happening in JLC
Year 1 Author visit
On Friday, 16 July, Year 1 were visited by Author Peter Ball. Peter Ball is a storyteller and author of The Adventures of Pea and Bean series of childrens’ books as well as being a classroom teacher. Peter showed the children his books and explained how he used his imagination to make up stories using a mix of imagination and real life stories. The children learned the stages of writing: ie. brainstorming ideas, saying them out loud, writing them out, editing them and then having them published. He also talked about how he worked with other people to help him with editing and illustrating his books. The kids really enjoyed it and were inspired to think about some writing of their own.
SECRET Skills
Last week Year 4 students attended a SECRET Skills workshop in the College Theatre. SECRET Skills are a set of essential life and work skills that have been identified by business and educational leaders across the world as being critical to success in the workplace. SECRET skills include: Self Manager, Effective Participators, Creative Thinkers, Reflective Learners, Enquirers and Team Workers. Each skill domain has four sub-skills covering Cognitive, Strategic, Social and Emotional elements. This framework is self and peer-assessed. While teachers facilitate and encourage students to achieve their goals, it is the students who are responsible for collecting evidence in order to achieve accreditation and recognition at each level of the framework.
These skills are built upon as students transition into the Middle Learning Community and future pathways in the Senior Learning Community.
Year 4 Plastic Ocean incursion
This week Maggie Muurmans from Coast Ed visited our Year 4s as part of our study into the Great Ocean Garbage Patch. Miss Maggie talked about the impact our litter has on our very own beaches and local marine animals. We heard about microplastics that are eaten by marine life and the subsequent consequences. We also heard about the importance of making environmentally-friendly choices regarding our food’s packaging. Children were fascinated and had many questions. Miss Maggie has kindly agreed to answer any further questions our students have as we progress through our DCL unit.
From the Head of the MLC
Welcome back to Term 3 and I hope you found time to connect with God and with your family over the June/July holiday break. It is amazing to think that we are already two weeks into the term and the busyness of MLC life has already kicked into gear.
Our dedicated Futsal Coaches have been giving up their time to improve their coaching credentials this term and we hope this will continue the success of our teams playing in local competitions. We are very fortunate to have so many MLC staff who give up their time to invest in our students through this sport and others. I would like to take this opportunity to wish our teams competing in the upcoming Futsal State Titles, the very best. We hope your hard work and determination pays off with some more outstanding results.
We have just completed our Student/Parent/Teacher interviews over two nights and I was pleased with how many families in the MLC took the opportunity to come in and meet with staff. We are always interested in improving our processes so we would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to complete some feedback for us via this link.
The Eisteddfod Showcase Concert was hosted on Monday evening in the Theatre and it was simply incredible. I know there will be other sections of this newsletter thanking staff and celebrating the evening but it was such a well received event that I also wanted to thank the incredibly talented music team who have supported the students to improve their craft. We hope to have a great deal of success in the upcoming Gold Coast Eisteddfod and I know that the diligence shown by our students will lead them to the results they deserve.
Finally, it is important to revisit processes and procedures from time to time and I would like to share some reminders of the process for parents when your child is a late arrival or early departure during the day:
- If students are going to be arriving at school late due to medical appointments or family reasons, can you please lodge a notification on the Parent Lounge or the College app.
- If students are departing early for whatever reason, can you please lodge a notification on the Parent Lounge or the College app. Please be mindful of the College break times as we may not be able to locate your child easily if they do not arrive at MLC Reception at the arranged time.
- If students are unwell, can you please lodge a notification on the Parent Lounge or the College app. You can select multiple days if required and upload a medical certificate if your child is away for more than three (3) consecutive days.
- It is imperative that all MLC Students sign out at MLC Reception before making their way to Main Reception. Alternatively, you are able to drive down Chocolate Drive and park in the MLC Carpark from 8:30am – 2:50pm.
Darren Rackemann
Head of Middle Learning Community
What’s been happening in MLC
SECRET Skills Student Leader Training
In the last week of Term 2, a group of about 25 students across Years 5-8 took up the leadership opportunity of becoming a SECRET Skills Student Accreditor. They engaged in interactive training throughout the morning where they learned about the structure of the SECRET Skills program, giving and receiving feedback, and the use of digital portfolios. The Student Accreditation team are crucial to the success of the SECRET Skills program, as they are responsible for assisting their peers in ascending through the levels of the SECRET Skills based on the evidence they have collected. The accreditation process will roll out this term across Years 5-8, building on the portfolios started in the JLC in 2020.
MLC Athletics Carnival
On Wednesday morning, a cool and windy day greeted our MLC students in the first ever MLC Athletics Carnival. Students ran, jumped and threw in a fast-paced format that included seven events in under four hours. A highlight for the many parents who spectated was the incredible participation rate of the students with many parents commenting on the competitive spirit, encouragement and fun that all competitors showed.
The champion House and age champions are yet to be determined as we complete the javelin, 800m and 1500m events at school next week. These results will be announced at each sub-school assembly and will be published in the newsletter.
A big thank you to all Hillcrest staff who assisted with the organising, officiating and setting up the two carnivals. A special thank you must go to Mr Cameron Suter, Mrs Kirstin Coetzee and Mrs Shireen Geddes for organising this event.
|
MLC & SLC 800m, 1500m and Javelin Post-Carnival Events |
||||
| Thursday 22nd July | Friday 23rd July | Monday 26th July | Tuesday 27th July | |
|
Life Group |
|
|||
|
Morning Tea |
U15 800m
U16 800m Open 800m |
Year 5&6 800m
|
U12 Javelin
U13 Javelin U14 Javelin |
U12 1500
U13 1500 U14 1500 |
|
Lunch |
U15 Javelin
U16 Javelin U17 Javelin |
U15 1500
U16 1500 Open 1500 |
||
| Period 8 (The lesson before Year 5 and 6 ISS) | Year 5&6 1500m | |||
From the Head of the SLC
Welcome to Term 3.
This term we have a number of new students commencing at the College. I wish to warmly welcome them and their families to Hillcrest. We also have two new teachers joining our staff. These are: Mr Martin Hall – Head of Science; and Ms Talitha Turner – English / History. I am sure that you will make them feel welcome. We also have Mrs Cath Baddeley return from her Term 2 leave.
The term has only just started, and our students have achieved so much. The learning programs for the term commenced and it has been pleasing to see the students engaged in their learning. At assembly in Week 1, we proudly acknowledged the students who achieved academic excellence and diligently applied themselves to their studies in Term 2. Well done to all of these students.
On Thursday of Week 1, we hosted the Year 9 and 10 Gold Coast Readers Cup. As normal, the students had to read a number of books and then answer questions on the night. We entered two teams and they placed second and forth in the competition. Congratulations to these students for their effort and result.
However, Hillcrest Christian College provides more than an academic education. We focus on providing opportunities to develop the whole child. Last weekend we had several students, staff and parents participate in the 48km and 96km Kokoda Challenge. This is a gruelling event that instils courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice. The hours of training paid off and all of our teams finished. Well done to the students, team leaders and support crews for a fantastic achievement.
At the same time, we had a number of students represent the College and the district in the State Cross Country championships. Participating at this high level does not come easy. Well done on your efforts to make this team.
On Monday evening we conducted the Eisteddfod Showcase Concert. It was pleasing to see the Theatre full of parents supporting their children with their music pursuits. It was an outstanding performance which showcased the gifts and talents of these students. Before we get to participate in the Eisteddfods, each of these students are winners. I thank them for their courage to perform, service to the community and diligence in each of their rehearsals.
On Tuesday we had our Athletics Carnival. I was pleased with how our House Captains lead their House and how the students respected their fellow competitors and had the courage to participate in the events. A great day was had by all.
Hillcrest Christian College is a great school. It provides many opportunities for students in the areas of academics, sport, performance arts, service and other co-curricular pursuits. While some schools say they aspire to provide an outstanding opportunity to their students, Hillcrest actually does. I encourage all students to participate in these opportunities.
I wish everyone well for the term. Set some goals, develop some strategies to achieve these goals, and then continue to work toward them.
Jason Day
Head of Senior Learning Community
What’s been happening in SLC
Year 9/10 Readers Cup
Last week Hillcrest coordinated and hosted the inaugural Gold Coast Yr9/10 Readers Cup. It was a very successful night with eight teams competing from six different schools. The students read four young adult books over the past two months and then competed throughout various rounds answering questions as a team. Our students did very well, finishing 2nd and 4th overall.
A special thanks to everyone that made this night possible and assisted in running this event.
Author Visit
On Friday, 16 July, Year 9-11 students participating in the Write a Book in a Day competition were visited by Author Peter Ball. Peter Ball is a storyteller and author of The Adventures of Pea and Bean series of childrens’ books, as well as his new young adult series Qui Magi. The students learned about storytelling structure, character and plot development, and his journey as a writer. Peter also conducted various storytelling sessions with students in the JLC, and thoroughly entertained them with his captivating tales.
d’Arcy Doyle Art Awards
Recently some talented art students entered the The Landscape Art Awards which have been established to honour d’Arcy Doyle, one of Australia’s most well known artists, who lived locally in Mudgeeraba. The awards and exhibition supports aspiring young artists, giving them the opportunity to present their work in a public context and view the variety of talents in the artistic community. We’re pleased to announce that Year 10 students, Chloe Halberstadt received 3rd place and Lucy Carstairs, received an Encouragement Award. Well done girls!
Year 12 Shake & Stir Incursion
Shake & Stir is one of the country’s leading contemporary theatre companies which tours Australia and New Zealand. Shake & Stir came to Hillcrest last week to perform Hamlet for Year 12. Year 12 are currently studying Hamlet and this gave them further insight into the play as they head towards the External Examinations early next term.
Mission Australia Youth Survey 2021
This week, students aged 15-19 were invited to complete the Mission Australia Youth Survey. This is Australia’s largest online youth survey, providing a platform for young people to ‘speak up’ about the issues that really concern them. In 2020, 25,800 young people participated in the Youth Survey. For the first time equity and discrimination was identified as the top national issue for young people, increasing by more than 60 per cent since 2019. More than one quarter of young people reported being treated unfairly, most commonly due to their gender and race/cultural background. The Youth Survey 2020 results also confirmed that COVID-19 has been affecting young people across several life domains.
Following the survey, our College will receive a report that will help us develop programs that respond to the needs of our students and their peers. All information provided is treated in the strictest of confidence. Following its publication in late November, the Mission Australia Youth Survey Report is widely referenced across online, print and television media. Our involvement makes an important contribution to this report and shapes the way that social commentators, politicians, NGOs and community organisations advocate for young people across Australia. Find out more about the survey.
SLC Athletics Carnival
The SLC House Athletics Carnival started early on Tuesday morning with our House student leaders braving the crisp morning air to set up their themed House areas for the first Hillcrest carnival held at the Griffith University Athletics Precinct. War cries apparently were out this year, instead being replaced with mini musicals that took over the running track. Even the teachers were part of the pre-athletics show. Just minutes later, the 100m heats began what would be a House vs House rivalry that saw students compete in long jump, high jump, shotput and 100, 200 and 400m sprints.
The champion House and age champions are yet to be determined as we complete the javelin, 800m and 1500m events at school next week. These results will be announced at each sub-school assembly and will be published in the newsletter.
A big thank you to all Hillcrest staff who assisted with the organising, officiating and setting up the two carnivals. A special thank you must go to Mr Cameron Suter, Mrs Kirstin Coetzee and Mrs Shireen Geddes for organising this event.
|
MLC & SLC 800m, 1500m and Javelin Post-Carnival Events |
||||
| Thursday 22nd July | Friday 23rd July | Monday 26th July | Tuesday 27th July | |
|
Life Group |
|
|||
|
Morning Tea |
U15 800m
U16 800m Open 800m |
Year 5&6 800m
|
U12 Javelin
U13 Javelin U14 Javelin |
U12 1500
U13 1500 U14 1500 |
|
Lunch |
U15 Javelin
U16 Javelin U17 Javelin |
U15 1500
U16 1500 Open 1500 |
||
| Period 8 (The lesson before Year 5 and 6 ISS) | Year 5&6 1500m | |||
Academic Awards Assembly
Last week students received GPA and Effort Awards from their studies throughout Term 2. GPA awards were presented to Years 9-10 students only as Year 11-12 are mid-unit. Effort Awards were presented to Years 9-12 students.
GPA Awards are presented to students who have achieved a 13.00+ (A-) average across all subjects. Effort Awards are presented to students who exhibit Exemplary effort in their classes.
GPA AWARDS
Year 9
Bradley Adams
Cleo Anseline
Emily Arnold
Caitlin Brodie
Savanna Brosnan
Jaeyun Chang
Nathan Cockburn
Eva Dekell
Abby Edwards
Charlize Firgaira
Laura Gregory
Asher Hammersley
Daniel Lattimore
Elise McGeorge
Connor McNeish
Joel O’Connor
Jet Parkes
Grace Purnell
Kooper Ransome
Jonathan Rouse
Emily Snowdon
Ella Thompson
Tatumn Tonkin
Nono Toshikawa
Year 10
Jayden Adams
Lucy Carstairs
Giselle Chau
Laila Chequer de Souza
Sophie Collins
Byron Evans
Victoria Gering
Jed Gregory
Chloe Halberstadt
Oscar Hardy
Amelia Hart
Joshua Johnson
Mia Jones
Alisha Kapadia
Halle Kapeechkin
Ella Loftus
Millie McConnell
Thompson McGregor
Luca Nathan
Mene Nel
Emmanuel Njongoro
Robert Pollock
Liam Richards
Summer Swindley
Eathan Waters
Sarah Wilson
EFFORT AWARDS
Year 9
Bradley Adams
Caitlin Brodie
Savanna Brosnan
Nathan Cockburn
Laura Gregory
Asher Hammersley
Jack Johnson
Elizabeth Kerr
Daniel Lattimore
Elizabeth Maynard
Oliver Miles
Summer Overman
Jet Parkes
Kooper Ransome
Emma Rings
Jonathan Rouse
Emily Snowdon
Tatumn Tonkin
Nono Toshikawa
Lana Waldmann
Airlie Williams
Maya Woods
Year 10
Jayden Adams
Cindy Barrett
Lucy Carstairs
Giselle Chau
Laila Chequer de Souza
Sophie Collins
James Dalton
Byron Evans
Victoria Gering
Evangeline Goedhart
Jed Gregory
Chloe Halberstadt
Amelia Hart
Jasmine Hart
Mia Jones
Alisha Kapadia
Halle Kapeechkin
Millie McConnell
Thompson McGregor
Luca Nathan
Mene Nel
Robert Pollock
Eathan Waters
Sarah Wilson
Year 11
Emma Adams
Samara Ballinger
Julia Brand
Jaeyoung Chang
Chelsea Geddes
Lachlan Hammersley
Sophie Jordan
Sophie Kent
Rio Matsuoka
Fynn McNeish
Kassia Nathan
Ella Pyyvaara
Alyssa Runnalls
Bronte Ryan-Oliver
Dylan Simpson
Year 12
Zoe Dutfield
Mitchell Gant
Remi Geyer
Jiajia Li
Cambell McGregor
Shelby Parkes
Marnie Rienecker
Anitta Santhosh
Jasmine Scott
Hillcrest Careers Festival
Next week on Wednesday, 28 July, the SLC is holding the Hillcrest Careers Festival from 4.30pm – 8pm. This is compulsory for all SLC students. Please click the image below for more information.
Sports, Performing Arts and Co-curricular
Kokoda
The Kokoda Youth Foundation (KYF) supports Australians by inspiring them to do extraordinary things. Through hiking endurance events, youth programs and an outdoor education camp, deeply held beliefs are challenged, allowing limits and abilities to be explored, providing opportunities for growth.
Last weekend we had several students, staff and parents from across the SLC participate in the 48km and 96km Kokoda Challenge. This is a gruelling event that instils courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice. The hours of training paid off and all of our teams finished. Well done to the students, team leaders and support crews for a fantastic achievement.
Eisteddfod Showcase
This week music students from across the MLC and SLC presented an impressive performance for their parents and the wider community at the College Theatre. The vibrancy of the performances, the incredible variety of repertoire and the professionalism of the students in each performance was outstanding. This level of performance does not come easily. Congratulations to all students involved for their commitment and a wonderful concert. We wish them all the very best as they head into eisteddfod season at HOTA. See image gallery.
Choral students perform in Carmen
Last weekend, four of our talented and hard working singers performed in Opera Australia’s 25th Anniversary tour of Bizet’s Carmen. Jessica Arden, Ella Henderson, Anastasia Grinev and Nadia Sutherland auditioned and gained a place in the children’s chorus. Following a busy production schedule, they performed at HOTA last weekend. Including famous pieces such as Habanera and the Toreador Song, this production highlighted the colour and vibrancy of Spain, with vintage-inspired costumes and gorgeous sets. The girls performed with a cast of some of Australia’s finest Opera singers, a live chamber orchestra and other children from the local community. Friendships were formed and an incredible experience of working in a professional production was gained. Thank you for representing Hillcrest in this production girls. We are so proud of you!
Student Achievements
QLD AFL Schools State Championships
Congratulations to Joseph McKibben who competed in the QLD AFL Schools State Championships. Joseph, who is captain of our Year 5 and 6 school team, represented South Coast in Mackay at the end of last term. His team came fourth in the tournament and it was reported that he played very well. Well done Joseph.
Other News
Student Departure Notification for 2022
Our College has gained a strong reputation for innovation and excellence, locally, nationally and internationally. We continue to receive numerous applications from families who have selected Hillcrest as the preferred schooling option for their children. Many of our year levels have now reached capacity, or are nearly full and our waiting lists are growing. The College now only has formal enrolment intakes for Pre Kindy, Kindy and Prep.
Your family is a very important part of our College Community and because of this we will be preparing for your child/ren moving into their new year level in 2022.
Please be reminded that our Enrolment Agreement states that you must provide one full term’s notice in writing, before any departure. If the full term’s notice has not been received and the student is outside of the initial six month cooling off period, a full term’s fee will be charged. Whilst we acknowledge and respect the right of parents to withdraw their child from Hillcrest at any time, this policy was introduced to encourage families to think carefully about early withdrawal and to ensure that the College has continuity of enrolment to meet its financial commitments.
If your child will not be returning to Hillcrest Christian College in 2022, please provide your departure notification in writing to registrar@hillcrest.qld.edu.au no later than Friday 17 September to avoid any financial penalty.
On behalf of the College Executive, thank you for your support with this matter.
