I invite our community to join The Hills Montessori School Foundation (HMSF) and become part of our vision to sustain and support opportunities for young people into the future. Some current and past parents, students and staff have already joined the HMSF last year when we launched the Foundation. It would be wonderful to see more of our community become members.

The HMSf has been established and is a mechanism for raising money to create security for Montessori learners of tomorrow. The other purpose of the HMSF is to provide a way for past students, staff and parents to stay connected with our school through events and get togethers. 

We encourage current and past students, parents, staff, friends and supporters to become a member of the HMSF and enjoy a lifelong connection with The Hills Montessori School. We hope the HMSF will give everyone the opportunity to actively contribute to a community that represents part of their identity. 

You can become a HMSF member by visiting the HMSF webpage https://www.montessori.sa.edu.au/foundation/ and completing the membership form along with a one-off payment of $150. 

Alternatively you might like to make a tax deductible donation before the end of this financial year.  Again you can visit the HMSF webpage at the link above to make a one off or recurring donation.  Every gift, large or small, will help us achieve our vision to achieve financial sustainability and opportunities for our young people into the future.  Your involvement and generosity will help us create an exceptional future for Montessori education and our school. 

In the past when I have talked about the HMSF I often refer to this quote ...... “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago”.  

I believe that this quote encapsulates what we are trying to achieve with the HMSF.  Through the HMSF, we are planting a seed so that it will grow over time and provide for future generations of young people who will be lucky enough to attend our school.  Forty six years ago, when our school began, people dreamed about what our school could be.  I think we have probably surpassed their dreams and vision that they had for the school, however we are truly grateful for the pioneers of our school and the ‘seed’ that they planted in 1978.  Hopefully in 46 years’ time, in 2070, our school will look back and be very grateful for the seed we planted in 2023 in establishing the HMSF.  We hope that seed will grow over the years through money raised which can then be used to provide resources and improved educational and learning facilities in the future for the long term betterment of our school.   

I invite our whole community to join the HMSF or make a tax deductible donation. https://www.montessori.sa.edu.au/foundation/ 

The HMSF is hosting an event in Week 8 this term for HMSF members and we are also holding a gathering in Term 4 which is being organised by the HMSF.

For those of you who are HMSF members, I hope you can attend the 20th June event and I look forward to seeing you there. 

Please don't hesitate to come and speak with me if you would like more information about the HMS Foundation.

Cathy France

Principal

Cycle 3 would like to extend a massive thank you to Ross McHenry for generously donating both Cycle 3 classes tickets to see the show 'Creation Creation" through the Windmill Theatre. Ross kindly supplied us with tickets after learning that the Cycle 3 students were investigating the Solar System this term. It was an amazing and informative show!

BOOK YOUR FREE TICKET NOW!

We are excited to offer this special event this term in Week 4, as part of our reconciliation activities leading up to Reconciliation Week.

In collaboration with Southern Montessori School, we invite all parents, staff and adolescent students to a special FREE screening of "Buckskin: A Film About Jack" at Wallis Cinemas, Mitcham on Wednesday 22nd May starting at 6.30pm.

There will be free refreshments available on entry, and following the screening we will host a Q & A session with Jack Buckskin.

We encourage all parents, staff and adolescent students to attend.

Click here to reserve your free ticket.

Please RSVP by 15th May (or until sold out).

This event has been funded by successful applications from both schools to the SA Government through the Parents Initiative in Education Grant.

Proudly organised by the HMS RAP committee

We hope you can join us.

We have had a wonderful start to Term 2 with plenty of sunshine to explore the outdoors. 

Outside, the children have enjoyed pouring, measuring, painting, and working on gross motor skills on our climbing and balancing equipment. 

We have been caring for our environment by watering the garden, cutting the grass, and sweeping the floors.

Inside, we have seen lots of work happening using our Montessori resources focusing on colour, fine motor skills, movement and problem solving. 

We have enjoyed lots of singing, reading and interaction during our mat time. 

The Preschool Extended Program children hosted a very special afternoon tea for their mum or special person this week. This was a culmination of many practical life skills and an opportunity for them to practise their independence. The children helped to plan the menu, taking into consideration different dietary needs of their fellow preschool friends and guests. On Monday morning we prepared fruit and vegetable platters, set the tables like a restaurant and completed their table flower arrangements. The children also made personalised placements for their guests to take home as gifts. It was a lovely opportunity for the children to be hosts to their special guests and to serve them food and drinks.

The Preschool children also used many practical life skills to make their mum’s cards and presents. They used a flower press to dry flowers, grater to grate soap and pulled the flowers off dried lavender stems.

Madeline “My Nanna likes Earl Grey tea.”

Jemma “Mummy likes raspberry jam on her scones.”

Ed “This is very exciting!”

Following on from the Great Lessons, Cycle 2 has had a focus on the movement of the earth. We have been exploring the revolution of the earth around the sun, the rotation of the earth titled on its axis and the cyclical effects these movements have on our climate and weather. 

We were very lucky to have Cycle 4 student Sandro come and share his 2023 major project with us- a 3D model representing the movement of the earth and moon around its axis and around the sun. This was a fun and engaging experience for all the students. Sandro stayed on to help everyone create their own diagrams and 2D models. 

Together with presentations, reference books and videos, Sandro helped the children to visually see how the earth moves through day and night and the four seasons. 

We have also loved collaborating with Cycle 3 in small groups this term exploring Aboriginal creation stories about the earth, moon and sun. 

We look forward to sharing this work at the upcoming Reconciliation Sharing Assembly. 

Quotes from students:

‘There is an imaginary line that goes through the middle of the earth. It’s called an axis’ Henry

‘The earth goes around the Sun’ Sunny

‘Earth spins around and one half of the earth gets dark and one half gets light’ Ellis

‘The earth goes around the sun once a year. Sandro showed us on his project’ Tanush 

‘Earth spins around once every 24hours to make night and day’ Soraya 

What a wonderful day we had hosting Cycle 3 Year 5's and 6's at Wairoa. It was nice to see friendships reconnect and to meet and interact with the Cycle 3 students.

Extending our Occupations sessions, students from Cycle 3 had time with Cycle 4 students and Guides and specialists to explore the Wairoa property and programs. We began the morning by separating into two Cycle 3 groups. One group went walking with Ben through our forest, spying never-before-seen spider webs and trekking through the light-dappled pathways, as we made our way back to shuffle through ankle-deep autumn leaves under the golden elm. Group 2 joined Pippa and the Theatre Making session embracing theatre sports and building confidence to perform in front of the mixed group. It was lovely to have Bethany and Xavier end the session with full commitment to the group’s final improv. 

Students then switched over to two other activities. One group met with Dave and Gabes in the Studio where the students were equipped with materials to undertake a mini-project in weaving. Sitting with their peers and whiling away time in deep concentration or ambient chatter students were rewarded with a small gift for their efforts at the end of the session. Meanwhile, Group 2 made their way to the kitchen with Riley and Rom and working in small teams of mixed ages, students set to work to make table olives from scratch; learning of the process when taking a raw olive straight from the tree to preparing them for the charcuterie board.

If smiles and lively chatter are any metrics to go by, Monday was a great day for all! 

In PE this term students have been developing their skills for basketball and soccer. Basketball has been met with a lot of enthusiasm as students have been enjoying the new adjustable basketball rings. Students have been participating in small games and activities that develop their hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills. Thanks to the Sporting Schools funding, Cycles 2 and 3 will be working with a basketball coach in the coming weeks. Cycle 4 has started their YouTube Just Dance sessions in preparation for the Cabaret performance at the end of term. 

With National Reconciliation Week (NRW) running from May 27 to June 3, our community has the opportunity to strengthen and renew our commitment to reconciliation. Under the theme ‘Now, More Than Ever,’ we recognise the importance of moving forward to build bridges and enhance understanding between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the wider Australian community. We encourage our school community to participate in local events that foster this spirit of reconciliation. Here are some of the highlights in and around the Adelaide Hills:

• Reconciliation at Warriparinga 

A free family-friendly event full of cultural activities and performances at the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre.

 Learn more here. Saturday 1 June, 1pm - 5pm

• Knowing, Growing, Eating Edible Wild Plants 

The Hills Environment Centre and The Summit Community Centre are hosting Neville Bonney, a South Australian native plant expert, ethnobotanist and published author. Neville will share First Nations history and showcase wild edible plants that can be grown in Kaurna, Peramangk and Ngarrindjeri Country. He will discuss their role in supporting biodiversity and providing food from their nuts, fruits, and foliage. The evening will include food tastings. 

Thursday 23rd May, 6 - 7:30 pm https://events.humanitix.com/knowing-growing-and-eating-edible-wild-native-plants

• Reconciliation Week Nunga Screening (Adult Event)

Nunga Screen shares and celebrates First Nations' culture, stories, and language through film. Join The Hut for the premiere screening of a short documentary from an emerging First Nations' filmmaker commissioned by Country Arts SA.

Friday 31 May, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm, The Hut Community Centrehttps://events.humanitix.com/nunga-screening

To help reach our fundraising goals, the school is once again taking part in the People First Community Lottery (originally known as the People's Choice Community Lottery).

We get to keep 100% from every $2 ticket sold and our goal is to sell enough tickets to raise at least $2500 to contribute towards improvements at both Yultiwirra and Wairoa.

Tickets are only $2 each and by buying from us, not only do you support us, you also go into the draw to win one of 52 prizes worth over $300,000. 

Head to the link below to buy tickets. Each ticket is another entry to win! 

Click here to buy tickets

Please feel free to also send this on to your family and friends.

Early bird prize draw closes 16 May. All tickets sold before 11.59pm ACDT on 16 May 2024 will go into the Early Bird prize draw for a chance to win a Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid (valued at $36,529 RRP) thanks to CMI Toyota.

Thank you for helping us to meet our fundraising goals.

On Sunday 16th June the Fundraising Committee is hosting a sausage sizzle at Bunnings Mount Barker . 

We are seeking volunteers to help out on the day from 8am until 4.30pm (in 3 hour time slots).  If you are available to give some time to assist and help raise funds for the school, please contact the office via phone 8339 6842 or email reception@montessori.sa.edu.au.  

Also, please note that Bunnings stipulates that all volunteers must be over the age of 18 and unfortunately children are not able to accompany parents on the day.

We very much appreciate any support you are able to give to assist us reach our fundraising goals!

Over the past three years, Phoebe has been growing her hair with a special purpose in mind: donating it so that it can be turned into a wig that goes to someone in need,  living with cancer or alopecia. Phoebe's hair has reached an impressive length of 24cm, surpassing the 20cm requirement for donation.

Now, Phoebe is taking her generosity one step further by fundraising to cover the cost of making a wig. Each wig costs $2750 to create, and Phoebe's efforts will make a significant difference in helping those battling cancer regain their confidence and sense of self. 

To support Phoebe's fundraising efforts, please visit her fundraising page at: Phoebe's Fundraiser

A parent of a child in Cycle 3 is looking for another parent in the Mt Barker area to car pool to school. Please contact Debbie on deeluvscookie@protonmail.com if you are interested. Thank you!

Thank you to the Class Parent Reps who cooked the Sausage Sizzle at the end of Week 1.  We appreciate you giving your time to assist with this much loved 'beginning of term' tradition.

The Hut Community Centre is hosting a Silent Disco for varying age groups on Saturday 18 May.  All details in the flyer.