I extend a very warm welcome back to Term 3. It has been an absolute joy reconnecting with our students and families and it is truly wonderful to see such happiness and vibrancy as we recommence school.
I rejoiced in the opportunity to celebrate student success at our mid-year Academic Awards. Our student body and community are uniquely warm and supportive, and I am grateful to be surrounded by individuals who embody such authentic connections. Congratulations to all students who received awards and to those who celebrate this success with them!
I would like to pay particular attention to our Year 5 and Prep students. 5B performed the National Anthem in our local Yugembah language, demonstrating an inspiring level of commitment, care, and attention to honouring this traditional language and culture. This instilled a deeper sense of connection and respect, and I am immensely proud of them.
Our Prep students experienced their first full formal occasion and absolutely shone. At Hills, we emphasise Doing the L.A.W.S., and our youngest community members exemplified this beautifully. Their integrity, respect, and diligence, along with their exceptional manners, were truly brilliant!
We have a wonderfully fulfilling term ahead, promising personal and social growth, especially for those students attending camp. This term will also offer opportunities for authentic learning and reflection through our Year 6 Exhibition and Student-Led Conferences.
Term 3 is always a delight, and I cannot wait to share this joy and excitement with our students and extended community.
Mr Matthew Noel
Head of Primary/Deputy Principal
matt.noel@hills.qld.edu.au
Welcome to Hills!
A very warm welcome to our six new amazing students and their families. I am so pleased to introduce you to Hunter, Aria, and Zade in Prep. Ryder and Ayden joined Year 4. Finally, William is new in Year 5. It has been so wonderful seeing you settle in so well and we are hoping Hills is giving you that sense of belonging. Welcome!
Behavioural Expectations at Hills International College
In this week’s Edition, I wish to focus on behaviour and the processes we follow, aligned with our Behavioural Management Policy. m88 com live casino registerat Hills International College, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and respectful learning environment that aligns with our L.A.W.S. values and behavioural expectations. Our behavioural standards are encapsulated in our L.A.W.S. (Living with Compassion, Acting with Integrity, Working with Diligence, Striving for Success) which guides our students in their daily interactions and personal development.
Consequences for misbehaviour are applied consistently and fairly. This consistency helps students understand the repercussions of their actions, reinforcing the importance of accountability and safety. Consequences range from restorative practices, where students can be reflective of their actions and take accountability, to more formal disciplinary actions when necessary, involving referral to the Executive Heads of school or the College Principal.
Our expected standards can be maintained through:
Clear Communication
- Interview process: Introduces prospective families to the College’s non-negotiables and values.
- Classroom Discussions and Essential Agreements: Regularly reinforce expectations.
- Student Code of Conduct and Behaviour Management Policy: Provides detailed guidelines on behaviour and a student's commitment to Hills' behaviour standard.
Positive Reinforcement
- L.A.W.S Awards: Acknowledge exemplary behaviour with a certificate.
- Token Systems: Reward positive behaviour with House Tokens.
- Celebrations of Success: Regular events to honour students' achievements.
Proactive Interventions
- Social-Emotional Learning: Teach empathy, self-regulation, and conflict resolution authentically within UOI’s and *through targeted means, such as Connection Time.
- Student Counseling: Offer support for managing emotions and behaviour.
- Buddy Programs: Pair students and year levels with buddies for guidance.
Consistent Consequences
- Restorative and trauma-informed Practices: Focus on repairing harm and restoring relationships.
- Progressive Discipline: Escalate consequences for repeated offenses.
- Behavioural Contracts: Outline expected behaviours and consequences.
- Review enrolment: for ongoing behaviours that do not align with our behavioural expectations.
Parental Involvement
- Regular Communication: Keep parents informed through reports and meetings.
- Encouragement: Encourage families to be aware of the Code of Conduct and Behavioural Management Policy
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: Involve parents in addressing issues.
Continuous Monitoring and Support
- Behavioural Tracking: Monitor and analyse student behaviour.
- Regular Check-Ins: Provide ongoing support and guidance.
- Individualised Support Plans: Develop tailored plans for students with ongoing challenges.
Through these strategies, Hills International College ensures a consistent, supportive, and fair approach to behaviour management, creating an environment where high expectations are upheld and every student can thrive. Thank you, families, for sustaining and promoting our values and I hope you gain valuable insight into our behavioural management processes at Hills.
Uniform Update
It has been very cold this week, and we can expect more cold weather, I'm sure. We have allowed students to wear non-uniform items before Connection Time classes begin in the morning, but it's important to remember that this does not allow students to wear non-uniform items at other times. We have a good stock of jackets, jumpers, and other items (including beanies and fleece vests that can be worn before school).
If students feel cold with a jumper or jacket, they are absolutely permitted to wear thermal vests, shirts, or singlets under their formal shirts or sports shirts, as long as they are white or skin-toned and do not protrude from sleeves or hems.
It is an expectation and requirement of enrolment that students are provided with the full uniform at all times, and this includes both the sports jacket and the formal jumper. If students do not like one item or the other, this is not sufficient reason to allow them to wear the alternative. Students can wear a long-sleeve thermal under their jumper if they find it itchy, and take off the shirt once it has warmed up for the day.
We are constantly reviewing and updating our uniform policies and expectations, but it is important that parents support the College policies and procedures in place at all times.
NAIDOC Week at Hills
During NAIDOC Week, our students kept the fire burning by connection. In Prep, students have engaged in child-led experiences thanks to their peer, Charlie, who brought in original Aboriginal artwork drawn by her Dad, a didgeridoo, and ancestor artifacts. Students also connected with Country and enjoyed the many outdoor spaces. Learning continued with a gathering in the yarning circle to discuss natural ways of life, a nature hunt, and story time. As also mentioned, our Year 5 students have been learning Yugembah. This understanding took them to new heights as they performed the National Anthem in Yugembah to our College community.
In the spotlight with 2C
2C has kicked off Term 3 with a burst of excitement and energy!
This term, our Unit of Inquiry is all about "How The World Works," and we have plunged into exploring the fascinating effects of forces. Our hands-on experiments with toys and their movements have been a highlight, sparking curiosity and joy. We've delved into gravity, discovering how height influences the speed and distance objects travel under its pull.
In Maths, we have begun participating in daily ‘Number Talks’ where we challenge ourselves to solve problems and show our thinking so we can learn from each other. We're also diving into the world of shapes, learning to describe their features with formal spatial terms. Our creative juices flowed as we designed wanted posters in response to a letter from ‘Constable Carton’ after the shapes m88 com live casino registermade a daring escape from Shape City Prison. Through building, manipulating, and comparing shapes, we are gaining a deeper understanding of their unique characteristics.
Our Writing Genre this term is narratives, and the creativity flowing from our Year 2 cohort is truly impressive! We are learning about narrative structures, the significance of language features in crafting engaging stories, and the essential elements of complications and resolutions.
We have commenced this term with a fresh and eager spirit, ready to dive into our learning adventures. The journey ahead promises to be filled with discovery, creativity, and fun!
Mrs Farrow
2C Teacher
Captains Captions
The Primary Captains are pleased to run with Years 3 and 4 students this term L.A.W.S. Bands. A student will get a band for a valued action. e.g. “You are getting a compassion band as I was grateful for you including Tyler in your group activity”. Students will attach their bands with glue. If they receive all 3 (Compassion, Integrity, and Diligence), they must let us know as the student will go into a prize draw, drawn at assembly. If a student receives all 3 bands they will reset for the next day.
The Primary Captains are also excited to be working with the P and F. We met with Mrs Watson and Mr Loveridge on Wednesday to discuss the Slime Challenge. This wonderful college fundraiser will be held this term, with the aim to slime Mr Lynch. Other staff, such as Mr Noel and class teachers will be slimed along the way. We will be busy drumming up support during Connection Time and we encourage you to read over the notifications and posters surrounding the school grounds. I really hope we can slime Mr Lynch!
Primary Captains
Containers for Change - Important Notice
As you know, our Year 6 students have been actively participating in the Containers for Change initiative throughout the year, and have placed individual collection points in each of the primary classrooms. This program has not only encouraged our students to engage in recycling but also taught them valuable lessons about environmental sustainability.
We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and dedication our students have shown so far. To keep the momentum going and to further support their efforts, we remind you to continue sending in eligible containers. These include:
- Aluminium cans (non-alcoholic)
- Glass bottles
- Plastic bottles
- Juice boxes
Please ensure that all containers are clean, and free of any residue before bringing them in. Importantly, we emphasise that no alcoholic cans or bottles should be sent to the College for this initiative.
Mr Stuart Ablitt
Deputy Head of Primary
stuart.ablitt@hills.qld.edu.au