Hillcrest News

Science Week in the JLC

We embarked on an exhilarating journey into the world of wonders and discovery during Australian Science Week! This past week, our young explorers delved into hands-on experiments, were captivated by demonstrations by our SLC STEM Ambassadors, and participated in mind-boggling activities that sparked curiosity and ignited a love for science. Big ideas were discovered, technology was tinkered with, and the mysteries of nature were explored, all while having a blast with fellow budding scientists. Our inner Einsteins were unleashed as we embraced the thrill of learning. We celebrated the joy of science together, one fascinating, fun-filled experiment at a time!

Michelle Cecil
Deputy Head of JLC – Curriculum

Prep Pyjama Day

Last week, the community joined together for a heart-warming event, finding comfort in the coziness of Pyjama Day. In Prep, this delightful occasion, transformed Preppies and teachers, into a sea of their coziest most beloved pyjamas. The highlight of the day was the afternoon spent together in the school theatre. Laughter and excitement filled the air as we gathered to enjoy a movie, complete with our cherished teddy bear. Pyjama day at Prep not only brought smiles and comforting warmth but also strengthened our sense of community as we shared the simple joy of relaxation and togetherness.

Spotlight on Learning: 1TW

Click, squish and pinch!

With the gentle click of magnetic tiles and mobilo, the tactile squish of playdough and the pinch of connective cubes, 1TW have embarked on an adventure that intertwines hands-on exploration with cognitive growth.

The opportunities have been endless; from shaping flash words on handwriting lines, to constructing intricate 3D shapes that unveil geometric features, our students have harnessed the power of touch to enhance understanding through manipulative resources.

Beyond intellectual growth, the benefits extend to fine motor skills. As young hands mould and arrange, they strengthen fine motor dexterity, essential for writing and other tasks.

As Dr Maria Montessori once said, “what the hand does, the mind remembers.” We look forward to continuing to see the fruits of our intentional effort, blossom across many learning outcomes this term.

Year 1 Fire Ed Visit

Year 1 had the privilege of experiencing a visit from the Burleigh Fire truck and Firefighters in Week 4. The firefighters came and spoke with Year 1 about fire safety, the job of firefighters, and the importance of a fire escape plan. Year 1 students were very excited to have the fire truck visit and have an opportunity to spray the water hose on the oval. This Fire Ed Visit is an important part of our Year 1 curriculum on making safe and healthy choices. Students practiced how to call 000 and what emergency service they needed. We had a look at mobile phones and how to use the “emergency” button on a mobile phone if they don’t know a passcode and how to access the keypad on a mobile phone. Knowing what to do in case of an emergency is an important part of staying safe.

Learning in Year 2: Spotlight on 2MR

With furrowed brows and frenzied fervour, we put our fabulous fingers and magnificent minds to work!

Today was Lego day and our feelings fizzed with fireworks of excitement! Foraging through Lego kits and feverishly following instructions, our room was a flurry of ingenious innovation as we coded, critiqued and re-crafted our creations.

As our robots functioned and faulted, our knowledge of forces and friction flourished!

What a fulfilling and fabuliciously fun experience! ⛓️️⚙️

3TC travel back to the ‘Olden Days’

In Week 4, our Year 3 students travelled back in time to see what life was like ‘in the olden days’ at Beenleigh Historical Village. 3TC had so much fun dressing up in clothes from the past and learning about life in the early days of Australia.

Students loved stepping into a little room that was actually a whole school, as all year levels learnt in the same classroom. We got to use slates and see how they used to learn and how mean the teachers could be. Did you know that children had to use back straighteners if they were slouching, and they got the cane if they weren’t doing what they were supposed to?

We learnt what a Blacksmith does and saw Chris heat up steel to make things like hooks, horseshoes and ornaments. We saw old washing equipment, stores, jail cells, farming equipment, printing presses and best of all we got to pretend to be firemen and use an old-fashioned fire truck!

Year 4: Science Week Village Roadshow Incursion

Elemental

Yeodo Middle School in class with 8F

Sustainability Club Needs Your Help!

Exploring the game development industry at Playside

On Wednesday, 26 July, 10 students from Hillcrest Christian College ventured north to Helensvale to visit the Gold Coast’s best kept secret, Playside North Games Studio.

‘PlaySide is the largest independent games studio in Australia. Founded in 2011, we’re a team with big ideas and the skills to deliver with our incredible team. In our history, we have released over 50+ titles across Mobile, PC, VR, AR, and now moving into console. We take so much pride in each and every project we create. Playside is a place of endless opportunity, where we focus on keeping the fun in game development.’ (Playside Studios)

This Australian success story is currently in a purple patch, with three studio locations needed to house their expanding team of games designers and developers, artists, software engineers and other skilled tech workers.

The students were immersed in the playful working environment whilst hearing from Senior Games Designer Nic and talented Project Art Lead Kelsey who came all the way from Melbourne to speak to the students.

This class has just started a games unit, using Unity to create a fun educational game for Year two students at the College. They have already been learning Unity by completing a course on Zenva Schools, provided through their membership in the ICT Gateway to Industry Schools project.

Design and Technologies teacher Joalene Van Dam was impressed with the studio and the insightful presentations. “The speakers highlighted the process of game design, the necessary skills, and the industry software pertinent to the unit of work. This served as an incredible chance for our students to gain firsthand insight into the appearance of the game development sector. It also shed light on the various career avenues and collaborative efforts among all stakeholders engaged in the game production process.’”

The Gateway to Industry Schools program is funded and supported by the Queensland Government.

Celebrating 100 Days to Graduation with Style!

The countdown to an important milestone has officially begun! Our vibrant graduating class of 2023 recently marked the “100 days to go” moment in their academic journey with an exuberant celebration.

Under the familiar covering of the Year 12 deck, students enjoyed a delightful cohort picnic during their lunch break. Laughter and camaraderie echoed as they shared stories, memories, and aspirations. This event offered a perfect opportunity to reflect on their time at Hillcrest and bond with their peers before embarking on new adventures.

As the sun set, the festivities continued with an evening social activity like no other – ‘old people bingo.’ Hilarity ensued as students embraced the theme, dressing up as charming elders and engaging in a quirky version of the classic game. The activity not only brought joy and nostalgia but also reinforced the bonds that make our graduating class a tight-knit family.

We are proud of our soon-to-be graduates and look forward to the exciting days ahead. Let’s continue to support and celebrate their achievements as they approach this significant milestone in their lives.

Sleep

A prevalent theme in the realm of well-being is the considerable difficulty young people encounter when it comes to both falling asleep and staying asleep. Sleep, just like nutrition and physical activity, stands as one of the three foundational pillars of wellbeing that demand our utmost attention.

Throughout the teenage years, rapid and profound physical, as well as emotional transformations take place. Consequently, sleep emerges as a pivotal factor influencing not only their overall wellbeing but also their academic accomplishments. Consider that rousing a teenager at 5:30am would be biologically equivalent to rousing an adult at 3:30am, then expecting them to tackle complex calculus shortly thereafter. Such an approach would indeed be unkind and yet this is occurring more than we realise.

According to the Australian Sleep Health Foundation, a teenage individual requires 8-10 hours of sleep, while 6–13-year-olds need 9-11 hours. These recommended hours play an indispensable role in memory consolidation, fostering healthy brain development, and regulating emotions. A plethora of extensive research underscores the positive correlation between adequate rest and heightened attention span, improved concentration, and enhanced problem-solving abilities – all of which are pivotal components of academic success. Furthermore, embracing proper sleep habits contributes to sustaining a balanced mood, reducing stress and anxiety levels, and nurturing resilience during challenging circumstances.

If your young people have electronic screens within their sleeping quarters after 9pm, chances are high that they are falling short of the sleep they require. Intriguingly, recent data shows a parallel rise in sleep issues as well as increased social media use. This situation is further exacerbated by irregular sleep patterns, the common stressors inherent in school life, involvement in extracurricular activities, academic pressures, and the intricate dynamics of social interactions. All these factors combined could potentially lead to sleep-related anxiety and insomnia in your child.

The encouraging news is that sleep is a learned behavior, making it amenable to treatment through behavioral strategies. Consistency plays a pivotal role here. By engaging in the same sequence of three to five activities prior to bedtime – such as putting on pyjamas, brushing teeth, and reading a book – our brains learn to anticipate sleep. The journey to better sleep hygiene begins with establishing a steady sleep schedule, ideally with only a one-hour variation in sleep and wake times on weekends. Preparing for sleep an hour before bedtime could involve setting up environmental cues like dimming the lights and relocating screens outside the bedroom. Engaging in relaxation activities such as reading, drawing, stretching, yoga, quiet games, music, or even massage for younger kids can significantly enhance the pre-sleep routine.

For students who find themselves caught in a spiral of nighttime anxiety and overthinking, implementing a designated “worry/reflective time” before or during dinner can be immensely beneficial. During this allocated time, students can engage in discussions with parents or introspectively explore their concerns. Encourage your young ones to jot down their worries using a notepad and pen placed by their bedside. They can then revisit or contemplate these concerns the following day during their designated “worry time.” This approach allows them to realize that many of their apprehensions do not materialize, ultimately rendering their hours of overthinking counterproductive to their much-needed sleep.

Sleep should not be overlooked but cherished as a necessity for your student’s physical and mental health. By proactively addressing and surmounting the obstacles to a good night’s sleep, you empower your young person to navigate the challenges of childhood and adolescence with resilience and vitality.

Imogen Zaharis
SLC Student Counsellor

RSA – short course with GESS Education

Have you ever wanted to get your RSA? If so, please see the attached flyer and contact GESS to enrol in the next enrolment.

First Aid – short course with GESS Education

Have you ever wanted to get your FIRST AID Certificate? If so, please see the attached flyer and contact GESS to enrol in the next enrolment.

Future Doctors Australia program

‘The Future Doctors Australia’ program is now open! Please note, the spots in this program are strictly limited.

The Future Doctors Australia program offers a unique opportunity for students (ages: 14-18) aspiring to pursue a career in medicine. Through engaging sessions led by experienced medical specialists, practical learning activities, and insights into the admission process, the program aims to inspire and equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their medical journey. This is an incredible opportunity to gain valuable insights and guidance from medical professionals who are passionate about shaping the future of healthcare.

Dates of upcoming programs:
Sydney: 5 – 8 October 2023
Adelaide: 13 – 16 October 2023
Brisbane: 9 – 12 December 2023
Melbourne: 25 – 28 January 2024

For further information and enrolment details please visit  WWW.NIECAREERS.COM.AU 

Defence Forces Event – A Night in the Army Reserve