14 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

Term Dates – 2018

From the Principal

It has been a settled start to the term and classes are starting to get used to new routines (and each other!). Our Hilly Kids focus for this week has been ‘Smile’ and it has been pleasing to see so many smiling faces around the school. Keep up the great work!

Hillcrest was visited on Tuesday by three representatives from The Japan Foundation, Sydney. Mami Saito (Senior Language Consultant), Risa Shibanuma (Japanese Language Assistant to Tasmania in 2018-19) and Junko Yano (Program Coordinator) enjoyed looking around the school and appreciated discussing our Japanese Language program at Hillcrest, including our new Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) program in Kinder. The Japan Foundation, Sydney sponsored my trip to Japan in 2017 and I appreciated discussing how this trip has contributed to our current involvement with Japanese language and culture.

Jerome Pape - Principal

Important Biosecurity Information

You may be aware that fruit fly has recently been detected in Tasmania and Biosecurity Tasmania has formally declared control areas to restrict the movement, transport, and supply of host fruit.

Information for schools, parents and students can be found in the attached document. If you are in the control area, please take the time to familiarise yourself with the information provided. Further information can be found at this link:

Sun Safe Hat Policy

Please remember that our Sun-Safe Hat Policy is in place during term 1. Students must wear a school hat anytime they are outside during recess and lunch. If they do not have a hat, they will be asked to sit in a designated area out of the sun.

Student Banking

Thank you to Fiona, who has volunteered once again to be one of our student banking coordinators. Student banking will start next week. Please send your child’s banking in on Tuesday/Wednesday each week. This year the banking will be processed and the bankbooks returned on Thursdays. As the volunteers process the banking early on Thursdays, if your child’s bankbook is not at school by Wednesday, it may not get to the office in time to be processed on the Thursday.

If you are new to student banking and wish to open an account, please visit the school office for an information pack.

Coles Sports for Schools

Yes! We ARE collecting the Coles Sports for Schools vouchers. For some reason we do not have a box at Coles yet….they are working on that…. In the meantime, please drop the vouchers into the box in the school office anytime.

Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids

Our HKFK focus for this week has been ‘Smile’. This is a simple act which can make a big difference to someone’s day! “Smiling is infectious, you can catch it like the flu. When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling, too!” (Author Unknown).

Next week’s HKFK focus topic will focus on Courtesy by introducing ‘Speaking politely by using please, thank you, sorry and excuse me’.

There are opportunities every day for us all to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’ and ‘excuse me’ at home, in the classroom, at the canteen, visiting the office, in the playground and at friends’ homes. There are people who care for us and help us every day and all of them need to be treated courteously.

One great way that we can do this is by saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’ and ‘excuse me’. You will be surprised how much people value being spoken to in a polite and courteous manner.

These simple words let people know you do appreciate what they do for you and also let them know that you are courteous and friendly.

In Week 4 our focus topic will be Respecting the Environment. It takes only a few minutes every day to make a positive impact on the environment at school, so what can we do to make a difference?

We live in such a wonderful neighbourhood and state with many great natural features just a short walk or drive from our school: beaches, parks, reserves and wonderful bush areas with birdlife. We need to look after and be responsible for all these great places and show them the respect they deserve, not just for their own sake but because they are important to so many people and will continue to be for many years to come.

Remember to always treat our environment with respect. This can be done in many ways:

• Never leave rubbish around
• Be sensitive to the environment and animals. It is their home we are visiting
• Don’t damage or destroy plants or any features of the natural environment
• Ride, walk or run on pathways

Respecting and caring for the environment will mean it will be there for everyone to appreciate and enjoy for many years.

Reduce, reuse, recycle is another way to show respect for the environment. There are so many actions that can make a difference!

Parent Help/Coaching/Volunteering

Please remember that if you want to volunteer at the school in any way you will need a Working With Vulnerable People Card. This is a Tasmanian Government requirement under the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013.

For more information or to apply please go to:

If you haven’t yet applied and would like some assistance with the online application, please see the office staff.

Student Absence

Families are reminded to notify the school office by 9:15am if your child is going to be away from school that day. You can ring 6424 5211 or send an SMS to 0428 937 348. If you do not notify the office you will be sent a text message requesting an explanation. Simply reply to that SMS.

Also, please remember that students who arrive at school after 8:55 must get a late pass from the office.

Student Validation Forms

Thank you to everyone who completed their validation forms on book collection days. These forms are necessary to ensure we have correct, up-to-date information and contact details. Please remember to notify the school if any of your contacts or your emergency contact details change at any time during the school year. Also, please return any completed medical action plans to the school office as soon as possible.

Student Assistance Scheme 2018

2018 STAS application forms for new applicants are available in the school office. If you are on a low income and think you might be eligible please see the office staff soon.

If you received STAS in 2017, you do not need to re-apply as you will have been sent correspondence regarding STAS 2018 directly from the Department. If you are on STAS and have a new child starting school this year please make sure you notify the Financial Assistance Unit. Failure to supply requested information may result in your approval being denied or delayed, in which case you will have to pay the 2018 levies. Please refer to the table below to determine your eligibility. Your income needs to be at or below these thresholds.

Launching into Learning

4-5 Kelly

We have had a great start to the year in 4/5 K. We have been busy learning about each other, learning to work with each other, and learning about our new routines. Here are some quotes from some of us about what we are looking forward to this year:

Thomas R – “Learning more.”
Ciarra – “English”
Toby – “End of Year Performance”
Tyson – “Trying to move up in Mentals”
Hayden – “Maths”
Mylee – “Choir”
Kiara – “Maths”
Amber – “Doing lots and lots of writing.”
Ashton – “Doing more Spelling.”
Mason – “Doing more History.”
Thomas P – “Playing dodgeball.”

Hillcrest Tuckerbox

If we want our children to enjoy school and perform well, we should ensure that they have plenty of fuel for physical and mental activity. Any teacher will tell you that a hungry child cannot concentrate!

A healthy lunch and snacks are important. A healthy lunch box is one that provides a variety of foods from different food groups. The food groups are: bread & cereals, fruit, vegetables, meat & meat alternatives (eg eggs, baked beans, lentils) and dairy. It has been shown that eating patterns established by the age of 11 or 12 are likely to persist through to the late teens or longer.

• Don’t insist on varying sandwich fillings if your child wants the same one every day...it isn’t the end of the world! Add variety with other lunch food.
• Don’t include sandwich fillings or other foods which your child has never tried before. Such “surprises” are seldom popular. Introduce new foods after school, at home, instead.
• Pack small amounts of food in an appropriate number of separate containers so they look inviting. Too much of each or (surprisingly) too many options can be daunting to a small child.

Lyn Aherne – Canteen

Move Well Eat Well

How to Care for Water Bottles

When water bottles are not cleaned and stored properly they can get smelly, slimy or mouldy. To prevent this from happening:

• Fill water bottles with fresh water only;
• Tip unused water out at the end of the day;
• Wash water bottles thoroughly with soapy water - the warmer the water the better;
• Store empty water bottles with the lid off;
• If extra cleaning is needed the following agents can be used: a sanitiser such as Milton or baby bottle sanitiser, vinegar or baking soda. Bleach is not recommended as it is not safe to consume and leaves an odour;
• Water bottles can deteriorate over time - regular replacement is recommended (at a minimum at the start of the year).

MWEW Committee

Netball 2018

The Devon Netball Association Primary Winter Roster will commence on Saturday, March 17 at the Spreyton Netball Centre. Primary netball is open to girls and boys turning 8 or older in 2018, with modified rules for those aged 10 and under. If your child is interested in playing, please leave their name at the school office by Wednesday, February 28th.

Soccer 2018

Over the coming weeks we will be organising Hillcrest soccer teams to play in the Devonport Junior Soccer Association 2018 Roster. This season D.J.S.I will register any player who turns 5 in the school year. As team nominations need to be into D.J.S.I by early March it is important that we start to arrange our teams as soon as possible. Please leave your child’s name at the school office if they want to play soccer this year. If any parents are able to assist with coaching and have a current Working With Children Card please contact David Carter or leave your details with the school office. It is a Tasmanian government requirement that ALL coaches have a current WWC card. For more information or to apply, please see:

DJSI Committee Members

The organisation of soccer on Saturday mornings is done by a small group of dedicated individuals. Without their involvement this sporting opportunity would not be as successful and enjoyable for all involved as it is. The DJSI committee would like to invite parents who would like to become involved with helping out and volunteering their skills to our association. Please contact David Carter if you are interested in joining the DJSI committee or would like further information about the role you could undertake to maintain this great opportunity for our Hillcrest students.

David Carter – PE

Basketball 2018

The Devonport Basketball Council will continue with school based teams for the 2018 primary school winter roster. Grade 1 & 2 games will be played on Wednesday nights commencing 14th March until 20th June and Grade 3 & 4 and 5 & 6 games will be played on Friday nights commencing on 9th March to 29th June.

It is a requirement of Basketball Tasmania that all players register online.

The DBC requires all intending players to be registered and paid before Wednesday 21st February 2018. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED

To register go online via the link below or you can attend registration nights to be held on Monday, February 19th and Tuesday, February 20th from 4.00 to 5.30 pm at the meeting room (next to the Youth Centre).

Registration fees: $80 for children born in 2009, 2010 and 2011, $90 for children born 2007 and 2008 and $100 for children born between 2001 and 2006. All fees include a singlet hire fee of $10 which will be refunded when returned in good condition.

All coaches are required to have a current Working With Children card.

If you require any assistance with online registrations or have any queries regarding rosters please contact Jan at the DBC Office on 64242440 between 10 – 2 daily.

David Carter - PE

Let’s Ride Program

With the assistance of funding from the Sporting Schools network this year we will be able to provide a cycle /riding bike program for all grade 6 students. Further information will be forwarded to parents once program details have been confirmed.

David Carter - PE

NWPSSA Athletics

Trials and run offs for the selection of our school's Penguin Athletic team will start next week for students in Grade 3 –6. Information about this event will be sent home in coming weeks to the students who have been selected to represent Hillcrest on Wednesday, 14th March.

David Carter – PE

Devonport Hockey

42 South Surf School - Girls Go Surfing

Crescendo Choir

Harmony Day Event

Dental Services