21 December 2023

From the Principal

As we come to the end of the school year at Hillcrest Primary, we reflect on the fantastic year we've had together. This year has been full of exciting moments, new experiences, and a strong sense of connection and growth.

To all the parents, carers, grandparents, family friends and community members we want to express our sincere appreciation for your continued support. Your partnership has been invaluable in creating a positive and enriching environment for our students.

A big thank you to our amazing staff for their hard work and dedication. Their commitment to education has made a significant difference in the lives of our students, and we're grateful for their tireless efforts.

Farewell

Best wishes to our Year 6’s! As we say goodbye to our Year 6 students and some of our families, we want to wish you the very best as you move on to high school. Your time as a Hilly Kid has been filled with growth and accomplishments, and we're confident you'll continue to shine in all your future endeavours.

We will also be farewelling:

• Mrs Ann-Maree ‘Ammo’ Mulcaster. Ann-Maree has been an integral member of staff for a whopping 17 years. She has made a long-lasting impact to many students, staff and families in her time here. Ann-Maree is taking a year of leave as a semi-retirement to consider what future career options may arise. We wish Ann-Maree the very best as she leaves the Hilly Team!
• Mrs Leah Woodberry, Leah has been a valued member of the Hilly Team for the past 5 years in the role of a Teacher Assistant. Leah has been successful in winning a position as an Educational Support Specialist (ESS) at Ulverstone Primary School. Leah will be very missed, but we know she will excel in her new role.
• Mr Allan Sharman who has supported us during recovery for the past two years. Mr Sharman will be taking a position at West Ulverstone Primary in 2024.
• Mrs Katherine Smith who has been a Teacher Assistant in our Prep/One area will be working at Sprent Primary full time in 2024.
• Mr Callum Ryrie will be finishing with us at this week as he completes his University degree and is hoping to do some relief teaching in schools in the Northwest region.

In other staffing changes, Mr Jackson Ansell has been successful in winning an Acting AST position at Deloraine High School, which means he will no longer be transferred to Hillcrest P S in Mrs Kelly’s vacancy. 

I am pleased to confirm that we have secured Miss Phoebe Hortle to teach our 5/6 class for 2024. Phoebe is well known to our school as she has worked at Hillcrest during 2022 and in first term this year as a Teacher Assistant. We look forward to welcoming Phoebe back to the team!

As we look ahead to the new year, let's carry the positivity and memories from this year with us in to next. We're excited about more growth, learning, and shared experiences in the upcoming school year.

In preparation for the 2024 school year, please read the section below for more information.

Wishing you all a restful and joyful holiday and Summer season, see you next year!

Warm regards,
Georgia

Dates to Remember

December 2023

2024 Important Dates

Term Dates for Students- 2024

Preparing for 2024

Book Collection days

Book collection days are for parents to collect book packs and uniform for the new school year. On this day parents must return a completed validation form for every child. These forms are mandatory documents to ensure we have the most up to date information for your child. 

Hillcrest Primary School

Reece High School

Uniform

Please use the Qkr App to purchase uniform by Monday 29 January 12-noon. Staff will have orders ready for collection on Book Collection Days.

Footwear

If you are buying new shoes, we ask that you buy black shoes for school, if unable to get plain black, please attempt to buy shoes with minimal colours.

Second-hand Uniform

If you have any good quality second-hand uniform items that you won’t be needing, please consider donating them to the school. We can ONLY accept logo’d items that have been washed, ironed and preferably on a hanger.

Validation Forms and Medical Information

Validation forms and medical Information forms are required to be handed in on Book Collection Day. These forms will be posted in advance of Book Collection Day this year, so families can complete these at home and bring in with you on the day. Book collection will not be possible without a completed validation form.

Payment of Levies

Levies are payable within 30 days of receiving your invoice, which will be sent to you in the post, March 2024. When you receive the invoice, you can either pay directly from your bank account via BPay or directly to the school via cash or EFTPOS. We do not collect levies payments on Book Collection Days

Levies are payable by all students not approved for STAS. Levies are contributions from parents towards essential items that support educational instruction. Once levies are paid the school will not request any additional payments for essential items or services needed in that school year. This includes stationery items, classroom consumables, swimming, minor excursions, cultural performances, curriculum resources, and other educational programs. The composite levy does not include other optional chargeable programs.

*Levies payments are required to be finalised by the end of Term 2 (July 5). Should you need additional support / time to pay your levies, a payment plan can be arranged by speaking with Renee at the office.

Other Reminders

Newsletter 2024

If you no longer wish to receive newsletters from us in 2024, please let the school office know by emailing hillcrest.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au. If you subscribe to the Schoolzine emailed newsletter, you can unsubscribe online.

If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter for 2024, please subscribe at https://hillcrestps.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe.  Our newsletter is published once a fortnight and is shared on Facebook and SeeSaw. We do not provide paper copies of the newsletter.

School Car Parking

Please remember that families are not permitted to use our staff car park for parking, dropping off or collecting children. Please park in Lawrence Drive. The lay-by area is also a ‘No Standing’ zone in the mornings and afternoons to ensure safety of children disembarking from the bus. Please DO NOT park in the layby at these times.

RWVP

Remember, you must have a current Registration for Working with Vulnerable People card to do any parent help at our school.  The holiday break could be just the time to register via the link below. Remember to add ‘Department of Children, Education and Young People’ as an employer (even though you are only getting a volunteer card) and choose Hillcrest Primary School from the drop-down list. 

Remember: if you wish to attend a class excursion with your child/ren or help in the class in any way, you are required to have this card. 

Year 6 Awards

These awards are a recognition of excellence for the 2023 year. However, through their primary years, these students have consistently displayed persistence, hard work, respect, responsibility, and resilience.  It is because of these attributes that they have received the highest accolades in our school.

• Encouragement Award: Lyra
• Hilly Kids Award:  Makeysha
• Sports Awards: Hayley & Tahj
• Arts Achievement Award: Scarlett
• Mathematics Achievement Award: Ava
• English Achievement Award: Gabi
• The Minister’s Respectful Student Award: Zoe
• Principal’s Award for Contribution to the School: Mackenzie
• Exemplary Academic Achievement Award: Lawi

Year 6 award winners

Outstanding Achievement Class Awards

Achievement Award Winners

Perpetual Awards 2023

This year’s award recipients for our perpetual awards were:

• Personal Growth Award in memory of Jalailah Jones: Maddison
• Personal Growth Award in memory of Jye Sheehan: Grace
• Personal Growth Award in memory of Zane Mellor: Cohen
• Quiet Achiever Award sponsored by The Bridger Family: Koby
• Respect Award in memory of Addison Stewart: Ariarnah
• Respect Award in memory of Chace Harrison: Hudson
• School Service Award in memory of Peter Dodt: Makeysha

Perpetual Award Winners

Certificates of Appreciation 2023

The following students have been reliable helpers in our school for the 2023 school year and have received Certificates of Appreciation:

School & Sports Leaders 2023

Hilly Kids That Shine

Makeysha was the Devonport Scout Group – Scout of the Year

Harry - Harry has recently completed his first season racing motorbikes with the Tasmanian Endurance Riding Club (TERC). He received 3rd place overall in the grass track series for his age and received an encouragement award for good sportsmanship and always encouraging fellow opponents.

Christmas Raffle Winners

Thank you to all the families that participated in our raffle and the wonderful supporters who donated the prizes. We raised $1,500. What a fantastic effort! Congratulations to the lucky winners.

Fundraising Committee

HPSA Fundraising Report

The Hillcrest Primary School Association has had another great year of fundraising. Fundraising enables us to provide valuable resources for classrooms and fund programs for students. Along the way we get our families and school community together, organise, participate, share, communicate and most of all, have fun.

A big thank you to everyone who took time to help with our various fundraising events, donated items, bought and sold raffle tickets, ordered pies and calendars and manned stalls.

Fundraising Committee

Student Leaders 2024

Students from grades 3-6, and staff recently participated in the election of the 2024 HPS Student Leaders.  Each student participated in a process involving nominations and speeches to their peers. 

On behalf of the school community, we would like to congratulate the 2024 Student Leaders that were selected for our team in 2024. This Team will be officially announced and recognised early in Term 1.

Sports Leaders 2024

Congratulations to the Hillcrest Sports Leaders for 2024 who, I am sure, will do a fantastic job next year leading us all through the Daily PE programs! 

These members were selected last week and will be officially announced and recognised early in Term 1.

Davis Forward – HPE Teacher