Jeff Davis

Executive Head of College

Dear Parent/Carers 

I pray that your break has been full of great times and relaxation after a stressful and difficult 2020. It was a year that will be remembered for many reasons in history and as we move forward, we thank God for His protection over our College and our community at large. In reflecting over the year that has passed, there are many lessons that we can gain from our experiences, however the need for a strong and resilient community has been highlighted through many different situations. I am honoured to lead a school that is full of dedicated professionals serving our students and their families at Hillcrest Christian College.

Together with prayer and practical support of Reedy Creek Baptist Church members and the governance leadership and direction of Queensland Baptist, we form an incredible community that worked throughout 2020 to deliver a truly amazing learning experience for all students. We thank each member of our community for their support throughout the 2020 College year. The encouragement that we received in some very difficult times inspired us to be the best we could possibly be in every situation.

As we now start 2021, we are looking forward to this new year with a number of key milestones being reached. In no particular order of importance, these new innovations continue to allow our College to evolve and reach new standards in learning and experience for our students. These innovations include;

• The opening of the Middle Learning Community
• The development of the new Bus Library for students in P-2
• The purchase of new buses for our College Fleet
• The refurbishment of the Performing Arts area
• The artificial grass improvements to the P-2 area
• The refurbishment of the JLC and MLC toilet facilities
• The continued refurbishment of handrails around the College
• Significant ground and garden improvements

These changes have been made to ensure that our students have access to the best possible facilities and learning spaces possible and I am sure that you will be impressed with the quality of these improvements.

Each year, the College has a theme that signifies the intent of the year. Last year the theme was UNITY and throughout the year we established the new Strategic Plan that is now guiding our direction for the next five years (2021-2025).  This year the theme is;

All members of our community play a role in the lives of other members of our community and often we have a unique opportunity to speak into those lives through positive words and actions. This year we are seeking to build into our community and especially our students, a consciousness of building each other up through positive communication and actions. As a staff we will be seeking to develop this into our lessons and programs throughout the year. It is certainly an aspirational goal that will further enhance the caring community that we have formed at Hillcrest.

We all pray that 2021 is a wonderfully successful year for you and your families. God has blessed us with further increases in enrolment in all year levels. This will further allow our community to grow and evolve in many different ways as we seek to honour God in all that we do.

Blessings

Jeff Davis – Executive Head of College

Christy Gittins

Head of Junior Learning Community

Our JLC 2023 preparations for the start of the year are well underway and we warmly invite you all to attend ‘O Day’ on Thursday, 19 January from 2.00pm – 6:00pm. Over the holidays the JLC has been a buzz of activity with many new and improved facilities and spaces for you to explore on the day. You will have an opportunity to visit our Castle Library, enjoy exploring the Castle, along with our new renovations to our Year 1/2 toilets and bubblers.

Teacher Meet & Greet 

A letter outlining your child’s teacher for 2023 will be emailed prior to ‘O-DAY’. You can book a session to meet them and these sessions are a great opportunity to meet your classroom teacher, pick up book packs and gather important information for your child’s first day of school.

Session Times

• Session 1: 1.00pm – 2.00pm
• Session 2: 2.00pm – 3.00pm
• Session 3: 3.00pm – 4.00pm
• Session 4: 4.00pm – 5.00pm
• Session 5: 5.00pm – 6.00pm

To attend a session please click on the link below.

Between sessions please feel free to explore the College, catch up with staff and families and enjoy a FREE sausage sizzle available at the Castle.

Year 1-2 Parking Permits

Parking permits will also be made available to P-2 parents to access parking on Chocolate Drive through classroom teachers at your Teacher Meet & Greet Session.

Year 4 One2One Device Collection 

All Year 4 students will need to collect their new device from Room 80 at any time during the afternoon – please refer to College map or ask a staff member to direct you on the day.

We look forward to seeing you all soon.

Christy Gittins – Head of Junior Learning Community

Darren Rackemann

Head of Middle Learning Community

We are excited to invite you O Day in the Middle Learning Community (MLC) and showcase our Learning Spaces for all to see.

At any time in the afternoon, parents and students may
• Purchase uniform items from the Uniform Shop
• Purchase Bus Passes
• Pick up one2one devices in Room 80 (if a new student or moving into Year 7)
• Sign up for Co-curricular activities in the MLC Courtyard

Darren Rackemann – Head of Middle Learning Community

Jason Day

Head of Senior Learning Community

O Day in the Senior Learning Community is an opportunity for students to meet their Life Group teacher, begin preparation for the start of the academic year, and of course, catch up with friends if they have not seen them over the holidays.

Information Sessions

The Senior Learning Community will be conducting the following information sessions in the College Theatre during O Day.

Meet Life Group teacher and Head of House

Students and parents will be able to meet their Life Group teacher and Head of House. Houses and Life Groups will be in the following areas:

• Carmichael: Room 30
• Flynn: Room 31
• Greene: Room 32
• Taylor: Room 35

Thursday Afternoon Activities nominations

Nominate your Term 1 Thursday Afternoon activity with Mrs Geddes in the SLC Courtyard at any time during O Day.

One2One Devices

IT Support can assist with any problems that have occurred with one2one devices over the holidays. Devices can be brought to IT Support on any day between 9:00am and 3:00pm. Alternatively, they can be dropped off at Room 81 during O Day. Students will be notified once the device has been repaired.

Pathways Advice

Mrs McCully and Mrs Crews will be available to assist students with general pathways advice throughout O Day. Students and parents requiring more detailed information will be asked to make an appointment at a later date.

Textbook Collection (Resource Centre)

Year 9 and 10 students can collect their textbooks from the Resource Centre at any time during the afternoon. Students need to take a copy of their timetable with them to ensure that they collect all of the required textbooks.

Timetable Changes (SLC Admin)

Student timetables have been published in the Student Café and Parent Lounge. Students in Years 9-10 may initiate subject changes at any time during O-Day in the SLC Administration Office.  Interviews may be made with Ms Cox, Head of Senior Studies, to discuss subject changes. As always, subject changes can only be made if there is availability in the requested subject.

Year 10 One2One Device Collection

All Year 10 students will need to collect their new device from Room 81 at any time during the afternoon. Students must bring their completed paperwork with them.

We look forward to seeing you at O-Day 2023.

Jason Day – Head of Senior Learning Community