29 September 2022

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

September

October

November

From the Principal

As you are no doubt aware, this will be my final week as Principal at Hillcrest Primary School. Starting in term 4 I will undertake the role of Differentiated Support for Learning (Working Together). I will have the opportunity to work with the Inclusion and Diversity Team in a state-wide role, providing support for diverse learners and their families in early childhood settings. I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute at a wider level across the Department.

It is also with sadness that I am leaving Hillcrest after my time here. I started my teaching career at Hillcrest, and it has always been a special place for me. Returning as Principal in 2014, I felt fortunate to work with the community to improve outcomes for our ‘Hilly Kids’. It has been a long journey, sometimes with its own challenges, but we have truly shown the strength of our school this year.

I am in awe of the way students, staff and families have worked together to create a school that is a vibrant learning space, that welcomes everyone.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard-working staff at the school. They have shown time and again their commitment to the students and their families and it has truly been a privilege to work with you all. Thank you.

I also want to acknowledge the support provided to our school by the Department of Education and the Tasmanian Government. From our Premier Jeremy Rockliff to the Education Minister Roger Jaensch, our Secretary Tim Bullard and the Deputy Secretary Trudy Pearce, I thank them all for their continued care and support for our community. I also wish to thank Ben Neate, who has led the Hillcrest Recovery this year. Thank you, Ben, for your commitment and unwavering support for the school and the community. Thanks also go to Jeff Triffitt, who has done an amazing job supporting the team here at Hillcrest. You have supported the school in so many ways and as Jeff knows, we couldn’t have done it without you!

Finally, I want to thank the amazing students and families. Your ongoing care, trust and belief in our school has been incredible. I could not have asked for a more supportive community, and I will miss each and every one of you.

As Dennis J Hall states – ‘We have not inherited the land from our fathers, we have borrowed it from our children’.

As I leave this school and community, I cannot help but reflect on this statement. None of us really inherit a place, we are merely borrowing it from our children. I wish the children of Hillcrest all the best.

Farewell everyone.
Jerome Pape – Principal

Hillcrest Affected Area Recovery Committee (HAARC)

Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids

Our last Hilly Kids focus topic was Seeing it Through. Our Hilly Kid was Zoe from P-1P. Congratulations, Zoe!

Well done to our other class representatives:

Our Current Hilly Kids Focus is Problem Solving.

Our Term 4 Value is Aspiration, and our first focus topic will be Collaboration.

Collaboration

Being collaborative is one of the most sought-after skills in our workforces and society. When we collaborate, we think and talk about our thoughts and feelings with others. This helps each of us to view things from a different perspective. When learning to be a good collaborator we need to develop the skills of taking turns, sharing the roles, sharing materials and respectfully listening to and challenging others’ thinking. When we effectively collaborate, we can achieve much greater success as a team.

Beanies

Our school beanies have arrived!! It’s looking like we will still get some use out of them before the warmer weather arrives. They are for sale in the office for $18.50 each.

School Photos

School photos have arrived! These were handed out on Tuesday. If you have not received yours yet speak to your child’s teacher or the school office.

Basketball Tournament

A big congratulations to Brody, Josh, Hunta and the rest of the team for winning their division in the Devonport Basketball Tournament last weekend! We are proud to hear our students showed our school values of Courage, Aspiration, Growth and Respect on the court and had such a wonderful time.

We would also like to thank families and volunteers for their support over the weekend.

Footy Colours Day!

On Friday, 23 September students and staff participated in footy colours day. It was great to see so many getting involved. There were numerous activities for students to enjoy. One activity involved students designing a footy jumper. Well done to all the winners!

Eisteddfod

Last Tuesday, 20th September, our Primary Choir attended the City of Devonport Eisteddfod. They performed 2 songs; Shout! and I’ll Stand by You. Their performance was fabulous, and we were awarded 2nd Place in our section.

I would like to acknowledge the support of Mrs Smallbon, Mrs Peace, Mr Hortle, Mr Sharman and Mrs Bonner to allow me to practice on Thursday afternoons, and to our Admin Staff for their help with the paperwork and organisational side of things. Finally, thank you to the parents and families for your support in organising uniform and supporting your children by listening to them sing the songs over…and over…and over!

Gaye Kelly – Choir Teacher

Tuckerbox Tips

Get the kids involved and try these ways to ‘green up’ muffins and cupcakes for lunchboxes and morning teas:

• Go for a fruit or veggie-based recipe - blueberry, raspberry, carrot, apple, pear or zucchini.
• Think smaller - consider making mini muffins or smaller cupcakes
• Swap the frosting, icing or cream for a dusting of icing sugar, cocoa or sliced fruit
• Swap some ingredients in the recipe:
     - Flour - add more fibre by using half wholemeal flour and half white flour
     - Fats & oils - swap butter for margarine and use mono or polyunsaturated oil (e.g., canola or sunflower) to reduce the saturated or ‘bad’ fat
     - Dairy - choose reduced fat rather than full cream

Sugar - reduce the amount by aiming for a ratio of 1/2c (or less) sugar to 2c of flour

Lyn Aherne – Canteen Supervisor

Move Well Eat Well

Nature Play

So much to explore! Take up the “Spring Challenge” with your family during the school holidays!

• Plant herbs or vegetables
• Pick a bunch of flowers
• Build a cubby or fort
• Ride your bike in a bush area
• Go on a bug hunt
• Create a fairy or mini-creatures garden
• Identify at least 3 birds outdoors

MWEW Team