We wanted to take a moment to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our wonderful volunteers. 

We can't always see the direct impact of this work, but here are some ways our volunteers support and strengthen our community:

• Board and Committee membership
• Community Connection Group representatives
• Reading and craft in classrooms
• Supporting excursions and camps
• Providing their expertise and knowledge in school endeavours
• Cooking sausages, sausages and more sausages
• Quiz Nights, Foundation events, and many other school events
• Supporting families who are experiencing challenging times with food, shopping, care for their children and transport
• Baking cakes and biscuits for the many fundraisers
• Trawling businesses for donations for Quiz Night
• Spending hours beautifully setting up our hall for graduations and school events
• Donating flowers, vases, prizes and food items
• Giving presentations to classes on interesting topics, or sharing their life story
• Visiting with their emergency services vehicles 
• Running CFS training sessions in the school holidays on our campus, so the CFS volunteers are well acquinted with our school
• Designing and creating props, sets, costumes
• Creating flyers, posters, graphics to support our endeavours
• Turning our school into a series of magical stories every Book Week
• Organising and hosting events for parents and families
• MC'ing events 
• Assisting with beautifying gardens
• Caring for class pets and watering plants in school holidays
• Coordinating, designing and executing a pageant float.

This list is by no means exhaustive. Being a parent/staff goverened school, we truly value the support, skills and expertise generously given by parents through their involvement in many areas of the school. By volunteering in the school, together we can enhance the quality of educational programs & resources offered, provide support for staff and strengthen community ties and build community spirit. 

We particularly want to thank the 2025 Community Connection Group representatives for undertaking this role and giving their time to the many facets of the position.  They have assisted in building community spirit and a positive, supportive school environment. 

We are deeply grateful to all of our incredible volunteers, and can't wait to do it all again in 2026!

This Wednesday we will hold the Year 6 (Cycle 3) Graduation Ceremony in the hall at Yultiwirra. Graduates, their families and staff will listen to the graduates speak and recall the memories of their time in Cycles 1, 2 & 3, outlining their achievements and taking the opportunity to thank those people in their lives who have supported them along their journey thus far. After the formal part of the evening, the graduates and a few staff will enjoy a meal at a local restaurant to celebrate the end of their primary schooling. We thank the Year 6 students for being responsible and caring leaders at Yultiwirra this year.

This Friday the Middle School students will hold their Exhibition of Work and Learning during the afternoon followed by the Year 9 (Cycle 4) Graduation in the early evening.  This is always a special event where parents, staff, families and friends come to celebrate the graduation of Year 9 students completing Cycle 4.  Following the graduation speeches the Wairoa students and staff will enjoy a sit-down dinner together at Wairoa and then a ‘party’ that the students organise themselves.

These graduation celebrations have become embedded in our school traditions and are a rite of passage for these students.  Thank you to Sam Cameron, Christine Perry & Alex Hill (Cycle 3 teachers) and Ben Noble, Dave Coulter, Rom Evangelista, Riley Sabey , Doris Stangl Round & Pippa Milroy (Wairoa teaching staff) for all of the wonderful programs and support they have offered these students throughout the year (and the Cycle) and the assistance they have provided in helping the graduating students prepare for the transition and next part of their educational journey.  

We acknowledge our graduating students.

We have been busy in Infant Program having a lovely time as always. We finished of our rhythm sticks by painting them and now we have been using them for one of our mat time activities which has been special. We have also been doing plenty of gardening and outside play which we always love no matter the weather. Christmas is just around the corner so we have started some Christmas craft and we are looking forward to an end of year celebration all together next week.

Our Preschool children have been excitedly diving into a new zoology study: reptiles and amphibians! Using Montessori classification cards, books, and animal models, they learned to observe the key differences between the two groups. Reptiles, like crocodiles and turtles, with their dry, scaly skin and land-based eggs, and amphibians, like frogs, with smooth, moist skin that begin life in the water before moving to land. 

Children engaged with life cycle puzzles, learnt the anatomy of each animal and studied the habitats in which they live.  Our art experiences, songs and stories have been based around the topic, with children painting a corrobboree frog, singing 5 little speckled frogs, completing the floor turtle puzzle and making their own reptile and amphibian books.  

Throughout this term, it has been wonderful to see how the children have been delighted by the fascinating world of vertebrates. They have asked curious questions which has led to thoughtful discussions and has showed their appreciation for the diversity of animal life. In practical life, children strengthened hand control and coordination through activities such as pipetting, tonging, and using tweezers to transfer objects. The colour mixing with coloured water and pipettes was a popular activity on the shelf!

Elara -'we worked really hard on the food.'

Abner - 'it was super hard not to bump into people when we were carrying things.'

Frances -'we worked really hard on making things before and it was really fun.'

Abby - 'There were flowers on the tables and I helped to pick them.'

Jock - 'Me and my Nanna had lots of fun at the café.'

Clem - 'The food was really yummy.'

Hunter -'I thought it was going to be really hard but it turned out really good.'

Letter writing has been another lovely focus. Students wrote heartfelt thank-you letters to Cleland Wildlife Park after our fun excursion, reflecting on what they learned and expressing genuine appreciation for the experience.

In the lead-up to our Save the Koala fundraiser, students have also been busy creating bookmarks filled with interesting koala facts. This project has brought together creativity, conservation learning, and purposeful writing, giving students a meaningful way to support a cause they care about.

Research writing has continued to be an important part of our work too. Students have been investigating topics that interest them and presenting their findings with growing confidence through posters and booklets.

'I loved seeing the echidnas and wombats at Cleland' - Angus

'The bandicoot was my favourite animal at Cleland, I really want to learn more about them. It's so sad that only one species of bandicoot is left in South Australia'  - Eleanor 

'I can't believe I got to pat a koala at Cleland. I do want to learn more about them'  - Paxton

'I feel proud of my very long koala research' - Sunny

'My koala bookmark has so many facts about koalas on it'  - Alex

'I've loved learning about the ocean zones, especially the animals that live deep down'  - Luca

'I feel so proud of my Komodo dragon research'  - George

In Week 5 Cycle 3 went on our annual school camp, this year located at Douglas Scrub Campsite. We began our camp experience by venturing to the Happy Valley Reservoir and Hallett Cove where students participated in kayaking and the boardwalk. We then settled into dormitories and enjoyed a bbq dinner for the first night at camp. This was met with much excitement and varying levels of sleep!

Day 2 saw the Cycle participate in activities such as bouldering, high ropes course, survival skills, art and orienteering. The day culminated in a Cycle 3 talent show.

Day 3 opened with the mad rush to stuff sleeping bags back in their bags and a group breakfast before taking part in the final activities for camp - bike riding and a whole cycle treasure hunt! With that successfully completed Cycle 3 headed back to school feeling extremely tired and happy after a wonderful camp experience!

A massive thank you to all of the parent volunteers who generously gave their time to help make the 2025 camp a highlight of the year.

Our Cycle 4 students have just returned from our annual aquatics camp. It was our first visit to Roonka River Adventure Park, and we enjoyed activities such as kayaking, orienteering, fishing, swimming, and the important tradition of the Great Trangia Cook Off!

There are lots of benefits to camp: it builds skills in resilience, teamwork, and tenacity; it gives us a chance to be active, outdoors, and try new things, like tasting carp and shrimp!

The biggest benefit, however, is that it provides opportunities to simply be with one another, and be with one another simply. As we know, social connection is so important to adolescents, and experiences like camp are an opportunity to spend quality, uncomplicated time with peers. It can be daunting for some to spend nights away from home, but we have seen the power of the friendships and the newfound confidence that can come from camps.

As always, staff and students had a great time together, and we are already looking forward to our Term 1 Woodhouse trip!

“Stories are the foundation of all communication.” – J.K. Rowling

Across all cycles, students are learning Indonesian while also developing empathy, trust, and intercultural understanding. These experiences strengthen communication, creativity, and global awareness—skills that will serve them well throughout school and beyond. Our learners are growing into confident communicators and thoughtful citizens, ready to share their voices with the world.

Yultiwirra students immersed themselves in the Indonesian folktale, ‘The Legend of Lake Toba’. The story sparked lively conversations about family life, friendships, and the importance of expressing feelings in healthy ways. Children reflected on what they enjoyed most, the lessons the tale teaches, and the traditions woven into its narrative.

Cycle 4 students explored how cultural narratives shape perspectives and reflected how these lessons apply to their own lives. By connecting Indonesian traditions with broader global contexts, they showed growing intercultural maturity and awareness.

Together, these discussions revealed why families share stories like this—passing on values, customs, and wisdom across generations.

Adding to the excitement, many primary students proudly received certificates for the Premier’s Reading Challenge Indonesian competition. Their enthusiasm is already carrying forward, with several eagerly anticipating next year’s opportunity. Well done, everyone!

Meanwhile, Preschoolers through Cycle 3 are busy preparing for their End of Year Concert. They are refining skills in vocal performance, listening, movement, and collaboration - bringing together language, music, and cultural celebrations in a joyful showcase.

Student Spotlight

Matilda and Shiba proudly represented our school at this year’s National Indonesian Language Speech Competition (NAILA). They received certificates acknowledging their engaging interview presentations, where their inventive use of a vintage black‑and‑white filter added flair and originality, showcasing both language skills and artistic creativity.

*****

As I look back on this year of teaching, I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to guide, learn alongside, and grow with my students. Each moment - whether in language, culture, or community - has enriched my practice and reminded me of the joy of education. Thank you for the trust and support that made this journey possible; I truly appreciate the chance to contribute and to continue learning as part of this school community. Terima kasih!

Wishing you all the very best – ‘Selamat Hari Natal dan Tahun Baru’! (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year).

On Friday, 21 November, Cycle 1 - Cycle 4 students participated in The Hills Montessori School’s first Spring Sports Carnival at The Stirling Oval.

The carnival was a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate physical activity, teamwork, and school spirit. With a focus on participation, skill development, and having fun, the day offered a fresh twist on our traditional Games Day.

The morning provided Cycle 2, 3 and 4 students with the chance to take part in a range of athletic events, including discus, shot put, and running races. Our Cycle 1 friends enthusiastically joined the 100m dash just before our shared lunch.

In the afternoon, all cycles combined for a series of fun novelty games that encouraged collaboration and connection across the school. There were many highlights throughout the day. The Tug of War was, as always, a crowd favourite, and the Health Hustle and Dance Party brought plenty of joy and laughter.

It was also wonderful to see parents and caregivers showing such enthusiasm, especially during the silly dress-up relay.

One parent volunteer shared how much they loved seeing students try their best without becoming overly competitive. For me, the biggest highlight was the enthusiasm, energy, and willingness of our students to simply ‘have a go.’ Their spirit truly made the day memorable.

It is with sadness that we farewell the following staff at the end of this year.

Emma Hildebrandt (Preschool assistant)

Renee Stevenson (Preschool teacher and assistant)

Both of these staff have contributed to our school and we thank them for their work and the care and commitment shown to our students.

I know our school community will join me in wishing all of these staff good health and happiness for the future.  They will all be sorely missed by staff, students and parents and will forever be a part of our ‘Montessori family’.

Matilda, Joe and Maddie recently represented The Hills Montessori School at the School Sport SA Triathlon. It was a team event and included a 500m swim, 17.5km bike ride and 5km run. Wow!

We are thrilled to announce the completion of the Yarning Circle in our revegetation bush space! The Yarning Circle is a culturally significant place designed for sharing knowledge, listening respectfully, building relationships along with reflection and problem-solving.

This initiative was funded by Grassroots Grant from the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board to establish a Yarning Circle, alongside a revegetation project that helps restore and celebrate our local environment. The building component is now complete, with our sincere thanks to Alex Nixon from Crafers Excavation. The revegetation process will start in the new year. 

Entering the Space

• We begin with a simple Acknowledgement of Country, e.g.:"We gather on Kaurna Country today. We thank the land, Elders, and all who have cared for this place."
• Walk calmly into the circle, stay on the paths, and no running through the vegetation.
• Treat the area, stones, seats and plants with care.
• Everyone is sitting on the first level of stones - No one sits “in front” — everyone is equal in a yarning circle.
• The space is for calm bodies, calm voices, and respectful listening.
• We enter with a sense of gratitude and connection to Country.

We would like to extend our gratitude for the work Maddy Ryan has put into securing the grant and coordinating this huge project. Special appreciation also goes to Lindsay Tootell, Suzie Saffin, Jo Bradbrook and Nyssa Park for their contributions as part of the project planning group. 

The End of Year concert for Yultiwirra students will be held on Monday 8th December at 10am in the hall.  We invite parents to come along to enjoy some performances from our students. All welcome!

When you return to our school in 2026, you will notice some changes to the Preschool front.  The most noticeable change will be the removal of the three large Stringybark trees that have recently been assessed by arborists as unhealthy and unsafe for the Preschool space.  The School has complied with all legislative requirements and has now received PlanSA and Adelaide Hills Council approval to remove these trees. 

You may have noticed that three replacement trees have already been planted in the Preschool space, being a White Mulberry (Morus Alba) and two Japanese Elms (Zelkova Serrata).   These small to medium deciduous trees have been chosen for their summer foliage and the allowance of sun to enter the area in winter, and the removed risk of high and heavy branches falling into populated spaces.  To further compensate for the removal of the three Stringybark trees, the School will plant at least three native trees around the recently developed Yarning Circle in the Yultiwirra bush play area.

You will also notice that the area to the right of the Preschool precinct, referred to as the fire track, is being redeveloped and a clear and large grass space will be created for Preschool students’ outdoor learning and recreation (provision for the fire track will be retained).  In 2026, we will also be installing new fencing around the Preschool precinct that will better blend with the natural environment.  These changes achieve the first stage to redevelop the Preschool precinct as identified in the School Master Plan.  

We are raffling off another gorgeous gingerbread house kindly donated by the Harris Evans family. $2 per ticket, 3 tickets for $5.

You're welcome to call the school office (08 8339 6842) & purchase tickets over the phone or send money with your child to the Yultiwirra school office. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the end of year concert on Monday the 8th of December. 

The gingerbread house will be drawn on Wednesday 10th of December (last day of school).

Our new set of Festival of Arts Greeting Cards are here! Each design showcases the creativity of our Cycle groups and have been professionally printed. Cards are available for purchase from the Yultiwirra office: 

🖼  $4 each🎁

$20 for a bundle of 8

(Envelopes included)

All proceeds will support school-wide fundraising initiatives. As always, thank you for supporting our community!

Have you visited our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn pages? Social media is another way we communicate with parents.  Follow us to keep up to date with school community news, events and activities. We also aim to use our social media to help develop your understanding of the Montessori Philosophy. You might also like to let grandparents and friends know so they can also enjoy the news, photos and updates!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehillsmontessorischool.sa/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehillsmontessorischool.sa/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hills-montessori-school-sa