I would like to welcome students, parents and staff to the 2025 school year. I particularly welcome the new students and families and look forward to their involvement and input into our school.

The beginning of the year for teaching staff is a time to prepare, plan, discuss ideas and programs with colleagues, think about professional goals for the year and discuss and prepare for the individual needs of the students in their class. 

At the first professional development (PD) session for staff this year we offered some engaging creative electives, where we learned new skills and reflected on the challenge of learning. It was a valuable reminder that we are asking our students to do hard things when it comes to learning, and we need to be mindful of this in the way we guide and support them.  As part of the PD session, we explored the article "How Dr Montessori's Principles Intrinsically Foster Creativity" by Phyllis Pottish-Lewis which highlighted key ideas about the role of creativity in learning. 

Maria Montessori’s approach reminds us that creativity requires courage, as well as a willingness to be vulnerable. Our staff needed to show courage and be vulnerable throughout the PD day trying their hand at new skills!  Staff had the choice of participating in workshops such as learning ukelele, drawing skills, photography, sewing and theatre sports. The day offered inspiration, an opportunity to develop new skills, provide an atmosphere of fun - learning alongside, and from our colleagues, and a day to 'fill our wellbeing bucket'. Staff were in agreement that it was a wonderful way to start the school year!

I wish for a positive, fulfilling, safe and healthy year for everyone, and particularly for our students, a year full of rich and diverse learning experiences and opportunities.

Here's to a year of Thinking Further!

Cathy France

Principal

Welcome back to our Infant Program! It’s been wonderful to see everyone again and witness the joy and excitement in the children as they returned. We’ve had a lovely, relaxed start to the year, re-exploring our environment, revisiting favourite activities, and reconnecting with peers. We’re all excited for the year ahead!

We have had a tremendous start back to the preschool environment with students excited and keen to get back to work!  We welcome a number of students new to the community and we look forward getting to know them and their families.

Despite the heat, the children have thrown themselves into a wide variety of activities.  We loved observing the students, familiar faces and students new to the environment, as they naturally gravitated toward the range of Montessori activities. 

The Practical Life activities together with the Sensorial materials were in high demand by students as they refined their hand eye coordination, extended their concentration and explored the world about them. This term we have a focus on our senses and our bodies. 

We are also exploring  the concept of colour as we lead into our creative expression to culminate in the Festival of Arts.  Students have been exploring primary and secondary colours with the colour mixing activities. We have also begun thinking about self portraits  

Bryn was using primary colours to make secondary ones:  "Look I made green first then I made orange using red and yellow"

The new year is off to a fantastic start for our Cycle 1 students! After a well-deserved break, the children have returned to school with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. They are settling into their classroom routines, reconnecting with friends, and making new ones. We’re delighted to see our new students settling in so smoothly.

On Friday, the students enjoyed making a fruit salad together, which helped develop their teamwork and fine motor skills while sharing food.

We have also begun our history unit, introducing the students to the concept of 'history' and its significance in understanding our past, present, and future. Over the coming weeks, we’ll explore our personal and local history, delving into the rich and diverse stories of South Australia.

Cycle 2 has had an exciting start to the year as we dive into the Montessori Cosmic curriculum. We began by exploring the Five Great Stories, which trace the origins of our galaxy and solar system, the geological history of Earth, the evolution of life in all its forms, and the purpose of human beings in the cosmos.

We kicked off our first Great Story presentation with the big question, "How was the universe created?" and discussed ideas from a Western scientific perspective. Following the presentation, the classroom buzzed with interest and activity! The children took part in engaging experiments that demonstrated the forces of nature shaping our world—learning about gravity, states of matter, the layers of the Earth, volcanoes, and sparking discussions about energy, time, space, and even the speed of light. These experiments helped establish a tangible connection to the story of our universe's creation.

The children followed this learning by researching and recording facts about volcanoes and the sun. As Maria Montessori said, “Let us give the child a vision of the whole Universe, for all things are part of the Universe... and are connected with each other.” This vision inspires our daily work in Cycle 2 as we explore scientific concepts and nurture a sense of wonder, helping the children understand that they are part of something much larger than our everyday world. This will remain a continuing focus throughout the term.

Cycle 3 has had a wonderful start to the year with our Year 6 students beginning their leadership journey. During the first week, the leaders were inducted, with their first responsibility being to nominate 'Big Brother/Sister' classes. In the Big Brother/Sister program, Year 6 students visit a younger cycle each week. The Cycle 3 students coordinate with the teacher of their buddy class and offer assistance in various ways. From helping to navigate the playground and reading, to running cooking groups, the Year 6 students take pride in their role as Big Brothers/Sisters. Next up for the Year 6 leaders are writing applications for the Leadership Committees and designing their Year 6 jumpers.

As a marked tradition in Cycle 4 and a way of breaking the ice and initiating community spirit, we set out for our Big Day Out Goosechase around Aldgate and Stirling. With gusto, the three Advisory groups of Dave, Riley and Ben set out to complete a series of challenges to claim the coveted bragging rights as this year's champion goose; though as we all agreed the points don't matter and too much fun was had! 

Challenges such as writing an ode to the humble chip: a passionate and poetic verbose of our universal love for hot chips. Or creating a human water fountain fit for the finest of groomed gardens. Others, solving tricky riddles, having lightbulb moments, and reenacting the Three Billy Goats Gruff.

We made it back to school to gather and see the photos and videos from each Advisory's efforts where there was much lively discussion as to whether a team had really achieved their goals -- some of us... *cough, Ben* was feeling that Riley had been teaching persuasive language a little too well this term. Nevertheless, belly laughs were had, inside jokes were created, and a cycle bonded ready for a great year ahead.

It was a fabulous day and a great way to begin our term. Next stop, Woodhouse camp in Week 4. Can't wait!

Students in Cycles 1, 2, and 3 have started the term with a focus on personal fitness and group dynamics. During group dynamics, students have explored the importance of trust, cooperation, and communication. They have also participated in tennis and, later in the term, athletics. Tennis is providing students with the opportunity to develop their hand-eye coordination, supporting their skill development for participation in many other sports throughout the year.

Cycle 4 students are enjoying learning the games of ultimate frisbee and volleyball. These fast-paced team sports rely on quick reactions and a high level of individual skill.

For interested Cycle 3 students, keep an eye out for information coming home about the SAPSASA Swimming Courier Cup (Thursday 27th February – Week 5) and the Athletics District Carnival (Thursday 3rd April – Week 10). Information about these events will be sent home via Audiri.

In 2025 we welcome back 'Snippets with Susan'. Join our Assistant Principal Susan Harris Evans for a series of sessions that explores a range of topics relating to learning in our school and ways to support your child at home. The sessions are 20-minute ‘bite sized snippets’ of information and informal discussion for parents. 

Primary students who will be travelling regularly on a bus service from school or walking or riding their bike home must fill in a Travel Arrangements Form with parents giving consent and details of the arrangements made for their child. We have sent forms home to students who catch the bus or walk home; however if you have not received one of these forms please contact the office.

If your child has moved cycles/classes in 2025 you will need to make slight changes to your Audiri preferences and re-select the new class in 'Groups' on the Audiri app. The Audiri app is our main form of communication with parents. Most consent and permission forms will not be sent home as paper notes. You will need to access these and all other school communication via the Audiri app.

Please ensure that your child wears appropriate footwear & clothing to school particularly on the days they participate in PE or fitness activities. Check with your child’s teacher as to which days these sessions occur. Thongs are not appropriate footwear for school as they provide little protection for children whilst they are playing in the bush.

Please remember that we are a Sun Smart School and all students are required to wear a broad brimmed hat and appropriate clothing to protect the skin when going outside for any activity. Sun block is provided by the school and students are taught by the school adults to apply it before leaving the classroom. Please ensure that your child has a named sunhat that can be kept in his/her bag or on the hat stand in the classroom.

School sunhats with the school logo are available for sale from the school office for $15 each.

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

Gold Medal Win for Eleanor!

Congratulations to Cycle 2 student Eleanor and her relay team for their outstanding achievement at the State Track and Field Championships last weekend. Competing for Mount Barker District Little Athletics, Eleanor and her teammates—Ava, Zoe and Violet —claimed gold in the Under 9 Girls 4x100m relay with an impressive time of 1:06.66.

Well done to Eleanor and her team on this fantastic result!