ISSUE 2, FRIDAY, 1 MAY 2015 fellow Australians, and others, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It is also important to remember and never take for granted the fact that Jesus Christ laid down his life so that we may experience eternal life.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL, JEFF DAVIS Last Friday, we celebrated our ANZAC Day ceremony at Hillcrest Christian College. We were fortunate to have one of our parents, Major Andrew Cullen (retired), address our students and share his experience as a war veteran. It was an amazing service and significant time for many in our school community, as we heard first-hand the reality of war rather than the often misrepresented version that is so often seen in movies today. Major Cullen also pointed out how his faith is such an incredibly important aspect of his life. On Saturday morning, I attended the dawn service at Currumbin, along with some 30,000 people. The retired army chaplain spoke of his experiences as a chaplain in the army and how many soldiers, throughout Australia's history, who died for our freedom, are revered on ANZAC Day. Of greater interest was his correlation that while these men had died for our freedom, it was Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our salvation. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. At this time in our lives, it is important that we reflect upon the amazing sacrifices of our
For those of you who have not thought of the death of Jesus in this way, I encourage you to take the time to process this thought and talk with the staff, here at Hillcrest, if you need a clearer understanding of how Jesus Christ has provided us all with an eternal life.
PARENT FORUMS I would like to thank parents for their support of the Parent Forums. We have conducted around 20 of these and the feedback that parents have given have helped in the decision making for the future of Hillcrest. An example of this is the student subject choices in the Senior School. Through these forums, many parents have indicated that this is a significant concern for students transitioning from the Primary to the Secondary years. In response to this concern, we have created a student subject guarantee policy for all students in the senior school. This will ensure that all students have access to every subject that would be available at other independent schools through a consistent block timetable that we will shortly publish, which will remain consistent for future years. As a parent, you will be able to make long term plans for your students' academic progress through the school. This will ensure that students will plan effectively for their future from an early age and be able to gain university credits and requirements much earlier. A full published version of this will be available in the next few weeks for your consideration.
Parent Forums are a chance for you to connect with the Principal, Jeff Davis, to discuss any areas of concern, improvement or success at the College. It is a casual discussion where your voice can be heard. 06/05 5pm – International Student Boardroom 12/05 9am – The Hub 02/06 9am – The Hub 10/06 2pm – The Hub https://www.trybooking.com/HIWC
PREP-Yr 2 CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT The development of the new Prep-Yr 2 Campus is currently in progress with an anticipated start date later this year. It is pleasing to see that parents are supporting this initiative through an increase of enrolments at Prep level with many enrolment enquiries throughout the school also being processed. This development will lay the foundation for a complete renovation of existing facilities and in the next three years, Hillcrest Christian College will truly express that it is a 21st Century learning environment.
COLLEGE BUS FLEET Many parents will have seen the new College buses, which have been 'wrapped' with some extraordinary images of the College and our students. The administration has taken the perspective that this new fleet of buses are a long-term investment that will be used to enhance the educational opportunities of all students who attend the College. The highly visible marking on the side of each bus will enable members of the Gold Coast community to recognise our school and the amazing activities that our students be involved in throughout their learning experience.
NAME CHANGES There has been a name change for Prep to Year 6 and Year 7-12. These areas will now be referred to as JUNIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY & SENIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY. More about these exciting changes will be revealed at the P&F Meeting on Monday, 4 May at 7pm.
CROSS COUNTRY & ATHLETICS Congratulations to all students who were selected for the District Cross Country Championships. All students who have been selected for this team have been notified. If your child did not make this team but would like to participate in an additional Cross Country Event, Hillcrest is entering students in to the Queensland All Schools Cross Country Championships in Brisbane on Saturday the 9th May. This is available to both Primary and Secondary Students. Please contact the sports office on sports@hillcrest.qld.edu.au if you are interested. Training has recommenced for all Early Years and Secondary students aged 10-18+ in 2015. Running training operates on a Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon, and Athletics training runs on a Thursday afternoon. Please contact the sports office on sports@hillcrest.qld.edu.au for further details.
SECONDARY INTERSCHOOL SPORT We are fast approaching the end of Season One for our Secondary Interschool Sport and are now in the process of organising Season Two, which runs in Term Three. If you are interested in volunteer coaching alongside a Hillcrest Staff-member in any of the following sports, please contact the sports office on sports@hillcrest.qld.edu.au BOYS SPORTS (SEASON TWO): Cricket, Futsal, Oztag, Rugby League and Tennis. GIRLS SPORTS (SEASON TWO): Basketball, Soccer, Touch Football and Volleyball.
21 Bridgman Drive, Reedy Creek Q 4227 | PO Box 2503, Burleigh Waters Q 4220 | 07 5593 4226 | hillcrest.qld.edu.au | office@hillcrest.qld.edu.au ACN 010381334 ABN 68 947 459 366 CRICOS 01043C Hillcrest Christian College is an interdenominational ministry of Reedy Creek Baptist Church and is operated by Hillcrest Christian College Ltd.
COLLEGE NEWS HOMESTAY FAMILIES NEEDED Each year, Hillcrest hosts a number of International Students who attend the college in a short term capacity. In Term 3, students from Japan will visit the school for nine nights and we need more families to join us as homestay parents during this time. Families are paid $40 per night for expenses incurred and students are placed individually in each home. If you have a spare room and your family would enjoy this opportunity to engage with a student from another culture, please email or phone the International Department or come in and see us sometime, to discuss this opportunity. MS CATHERINE BUTLER Director - International Student Department international@hillcrest.qld.edu.au P 07 5655 0950
hub volunteers required My name is KAREN SCOTT and I am the manager of The Hub at Hillcrest (formerly known as the canteen.) Our hub Menu is available on the Family Portal. I am inviting any parents who are interested and/or available to volunteer in The Hub. As you may be aware the P & F Levy each term is able to be worked off by working one day per term in The Hub. If it is not convenient to do a whole day, it is also possible to just pop in for a couple of hours on different days – we are totally flexible and all assistance is greatly appreciated, no matter the length of time. We also have Dads and/or grandparents who are available to help and are always very welcome. We provide morning tea and lunch for volunteers, as well as providing lunch for the children of volunteers on the day they are working. Following the total refurbishment in 2013, we have changed the way our traditional canteen has operated in the past and are now providing much more to the families and staff of the College including breakfast from 7.30, as well as remaining open until
3.30 pm daily. The majority of food is cooked/baked here on the premises which requires the assistance of volunteers. We are also open as a coffee shop for the whole day (outside lunch breaks of course) These times also provide opportunities for parents to assist if convenient. If class parents would like to arrange get togethers with their Mums/Dads and utilize The Hub facilities can you please ensure you contact me prior to arranging dates so we can book into the on-line booking system. I would love to hear from you if you are in a position to offer us some time or if you would like to pop in to The Hub for a visit to check it out. Karen Scott, HUB MANAGER hub@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
Ph 5522 0511 | M 0417 763 465
community representatives 2015 qcs testing Are you interested in being a community representative for the 2015 Queensland Core Skills (QCS) test? To maintain the accountability, security and proper conduct of the 2015 QCS Test, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) invites applications from community members for the positions of chief community representative and community representative. A test centre is a secondary school, or another place approved by the QCAA, where students sit the QCS Test. All test centres are located within Queensland and have a chief supervisor to administer the test. This year the test will be held on Tuesday 1 September and Wednesday 2 September. Hillcrest is required to submit at least three nominations for chief community representative. There are two paid positions and the third is a reserve who may be called on if required.
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Applications close on Friday 22 May 2015. More information and application forms on College Website. https://hillcrest.qld.edu.au/news/ qcs-community-representativesrequired/
Accounts FEES - Term Two Fees Now Due Fees are always due the second Friday of each term. Thank you to all those families who have paid their Term 2 fees or entered into a payment arrangement with the Accounts Office. If you have not yet paid Term 1 fees please know that they are now overdue and we expect you to settle your account promptly to ensure continuation of Enrolment. If you are having difficulties with payment please contact MRS GAY in the Accounts Office. PAYMENT METHODS Links for payment are available on your fee statement. Payments can also be made with usual methods at the Accounts office, or online via
COLLEGE OPEN DAY - 13 MAY 2015 The next College Tour will be held on Wednesday 13 May 2015, 3:30pm5:30pm. LIMITED ENROLMENT PLACES PREPREP TO YEAR 12 Do you have friends or family who are seeking a school that provides a nurturing environment that strives to challenge, inspire and maximise every child’s potential? Invite them along to our College Open Day where they will receive a personal tour from our students and hear firsthand what they love about the College and its facilities, meet with our College Executive team to hear of the exciting new initiatives, and experience the vast expanse of cultural, sporting and cocurricular activities that are on offer to students. For more information contact us on office@hillcrest.qld.edu.au or phone 07 5593 4226. http://hillcrest.qld.edu.au/enrolment/ college-tours/
https://hillcrest.qld.edu.au/about/ online-payment
DIRECT DEBITS The College has a Direct Debit facility available. A form can be downloaded from our Family Portal or you can have one emailed to you from the Accounts Office. You can opt to have payments debited from your Bank Account or a Credit Card. If you wish to proceed, please complete a form and hand in at the Accounts Office for processing or contact MRS GAY in Accounts. CONTACT DETAILS MRS RACHEL GAY accountsreceivable@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
07 5593 4226
(ask for Mrs Gay in Accounts)
STUDENT & STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS MOMONE UCHIDA - YEAR 4
ISABELLA GILL - YEAR 10
MOMONE UCHIDA represents Hillcrest Christian College in snow skiing as part of our Interschool Sport Program. On March 7 and 8, Momone qualified for and competed in the Nastar Race Japan Cup held in Naeba, Japan in the U10 category. All of the pre-race runs consisted of former and current Olympians so Momone used this opportunity to study their techniques. It was a great learning opportunity for her! Even though the course was a challenging one for Momone, she came away with a Diploma for placing 5th in the GS race. Congratulations and well done Momone! We are proud of you!!
MILENA WALDMANN - YEAR 6
Congratulations ISABELLA GILL who competed in the National Marathon championships for canoeing over the Easter break. Isabella achieved some great results with a Gold medal in the K2 U16 Women, and a Silver medal in the K1 U16 Women.
KIMBERLEY SLATYER - CHAPLAIN Congratulations CALEB AND KIMBERLEY SLATYER on the birth of JETHRO IZAAC on Anzac Day. We celebrate with you on this precious new addition to your family.
07 5593 4226 office@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT 07 5655 0950 international@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
ABSENTEE LINE 07 5593 8130 absentee@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
PERFORMING ARTS 07 5655 0940 performingarts@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
MAIN RECEPTION 07 5593 4226 office@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
SPORT 07 5593 4226 sports@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
ENROLMENTS 07 5593 4226 enrolments@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
DANCE ACADEMY 0406 598 112 info@currumbinacademy.com.au
FIRST AID 07 5593 4226 health@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
THE HUB (CANTEEN) 07 5522 0511 hub@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
KINDY 07 5655 0910 kindy@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
UNIFORM SHOP 07 5522 0629 hillcrestcc@alinta.com.au
JUNIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY 07 5655 0920 earlyyears@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
OSHC 0400 212 656 oshc@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
COLLEGE CONTACTS
SENIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY 07 5655 0930 secondary@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
Congratulations Year 6 student, MILENA WALDMANN, who won Silver in Nationals for her Synchronised Swimming duet, which she performed with a student from Aquinas College. Milena also came 5th in Australia in individual figures against a very strong and large field of competitors. Milena, your amazing achievements are a testament to your hard work and dedication. Well done!
HARRY KEOUGH Congratulations Year 8 student, HARRY KEOUGH who has been selected to participate in the Gold Coast Academy of Sport Basketball program. This is a high performance development program incorporating both practical skills and personal development. This Program is aimed at providing additional benefits outside of normal club and association trainings. Well done Harry.
SOPHIE JOHNSTON, FLYNN CAMERON, TARA MANUMALEUGA, ARIELLE MACKEY Congratulations SOPHIE JOHNSTON on your selection as State Captain for Queensland South at Nationals over the holidays.
BLAKE GAMBLE & ARIELLE MACKEY Congratulations BLAKE GAMBLE and ARIELLE MACKEY who have both been selected to participate in the 2015 State Future Development Program (Basketball) The FDP focuses on the identification, support and development of athletes aged 12-13 years old, and on the development of aspiring elite coaches, with the aim to identify potential state and national representative athletes at an age where skill development is crucial to an athlete's future playing career.
Congratulations also to FLYNN CAMERON, TARA MANUMALEUGA, ARIELLE MACKEY and CHARLI REECE on your selections in your respective State teams.
DISTRICT & SOUTHCOAST REPRESENTATIVES Congratulations to all the students who have trialled for District and Southcoast teams in the past few weeks. 15&U District Team Reps WILL COLLINS, FLYNN CAMERON, BLAKE GAMBLE, CALLAGHAN SIEVERS, BREA AND ABBEY HAMILL, NYAH MORRIS, MIKAYLAH FRANKLAND, CHARLI REECE,
TARA MANAMALEUGA and EMMA STADLER as shadow. 12&U District Team Reps DIEZEL PRICE, ZEKE STORTENBEKER (shadow), ZALI WELSH, INDEE SCHIFCOFSKE, COURTNEY LAWN. 12&U South Coast Team trials are currently underway and 15&U South Coast trials will be held in May. We look forward to hearing how you go!
UPCOMING ACHIEVEMENT LIST An updated comprehensive list of students sporting achievements will be made in the next newsletter such as Basketball, Baseball and Golf as extensive trials are currently underway.
CONTACT US If your child has performed at a represetative level in any field please be sure to email us so that we can acknowledge their achievements. ď€ƒ sports@hillcrest.qld.edu.au
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE NEWSLETTER | 3
JUNIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY
Year 3 students went back in time as they explored life in the early 1900s at the Beenleigh Historical Village.
KP1 EASTER HAT PARADE PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON PORTAL On Wednesday the 1st of April, Kindy, Prep and Year One students celebrated Easter with a concert and an Easter Hat Parade. This was a wonderful morning where parents staff and children came together to praise the name of Jesus. The children sang songs of worship and acted out the story of Easter with enthusiasm and skill. The Easter hats created by parents and children were a work of art; we truly have a talented community. Mr Davis also shared a wonderful devotion and the performance of our Year Six choir was an added blessing.
ROAR, ROAR, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE DINOSAURS!!! Where better to learn about these giant scaly creatures than by immersing ourselves in their prehistoric world! As part of our dinosaur unit, Year 1 is very excited to be visiting the Queensland Museum's Dinosaur Discovery exhibition in Week 4. PERMISSION FORM
There will be lots to hear, feel and see! Dinosaurs are amazing; we all agree!
YEAR TWO MEMORIAL TOUR
PREP VISIT TO CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY What better way for the Preps to consolidate their learning about the wonderful world God has created than a trip to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary? In Week 9 roughly 90 Prep students, Teachers and Parents will adventure to the Sanctuary to cuddle a koala, get up close to a crocodile, get among a mob of kangaroos or check out reptiles, birds and marsupials in amazing wildlife shows and displays. It is one of the highlights of our Prep calendar and special day to share with the Prep families. Learning is fun in Prep!
Last term, students in Year Two enjoyed learning about the past while exploring sculptures and monuments on the Gold Coast. They investigated a variety of war memorials, as well as sculptures that are significant to our Gold Coast history. As an exciting culminating activity, students spent the day on a 'Sculpture Crawl' visiting a variety of these sculptures and memorials. Students loved seeing the sculptures first hand, and enjoyed participating in the
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challenges and treasure hunts along the way. Students thoroughly enjoyed their day out and about. "Going on the new buses was so much fun! We loved seeing the Kokoda Memorial that we had learnt about in class." HOLLY HEMBLING & SHARMAN 2R "Our favourite part was seeing the different memorials that we had learnt about, and seeing what materials they were built out of." CARTER CURRY & MACKENZIE REEDY 2C "It was fun to drive around in the new buses and see all of the statues and monuments around the Gold Coast. The treasure hunt was fun and we learnt lots of new things about the history of the Gold Coast." ELIJAH WELSH & SAFFI MACFARLANE 2A
YEAR 3 EXCURSION TO BEENLEIGH HISTORICAL VILLAGE PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON PORTAL Year 3 had an amazing time exploring Beenleigh Historical Village. They have been investigating in class what life was like in the days of Australia’s settlement, up to the early 1900’s. Students had the opportunity to
experience firsthand the struggle of cutting timber using a two person crosscut saw and wash clothing with a mangle. Some students really got into the life and times by dressing in period clothing, and they looked amazing!
YEAR 4 ART EXCURSION
On 24 March 2015, 4F and 4A students travelled to Brisbane to visit the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). We added colourful dot stickers to the white furniture, objects and surfaces found in the largescale interactive installation The Obliteration Room. We also created our own fantasy world using computers. Explored the rest of the exhibition and discovered a dark room with mirrors and fluro dots everywhere which was a highlight. It was a
wonderful day and everyone had a lot of fun! Thank you to the parents who joined us on this fantastic excursion!
LOVE OUT LOUD COMPASSION DAY On Thursday, 4 June 2015, Year 6 students will be presenting our sixth “Love Out Loud - Compassion Day” for students in Years 1 - 6. Each Early Years class at Hillcrest Christian College proudly supports a young child. The funds raised each year by the students go to help provide food, clothing, and education for their sponsor child. To help augment these donations, each year we hold our ‘Love Out Loud’ Day.
Coming up in Term 2 May 4 & 8 Kindy Mother’s Day Morning Tea May 6 P & F Mother’s Day Stall May 12 - 14 NAPLAN for Year 3 & 5 May 14 Year 1 Excursion June 4 LOL Compassion Day June 9 & 10 Year 4 - 6 Athletics Carnival
As part of their leadership responsibilities, the Year 6 students have already started the huge task of organising this amazing event. We will have many of the past favourites, such as ‘Crème the Teacher’ and the ‘Chocolate Bed’, as well as some new and exciting ventures. We look forward to a fantastic time of community and fun! Below is a photo of our current Year 12 students in 2010 at the first “Compassion Day” event.
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE NEWSLETTER | 5
SENIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY
Students from Years 1-12 gathered to honour the men and women who have served in the Anzac Day Service.
CHANGE TO SECONDARY SCHOOL STRUCTURE TERM 2, 2015
YEAR TWELVES in action
I recommend that you take time to discuss this planner with your son or daughter and help them to plan and track their progress ins meeting deadlines for assignments and preparation for exams.
The Year 12 Student Leadership Team have been taking time out of their busy academic schedule to go to the "Cow Shed" at regular intervals to spend time with the Year 1-6 students.
RED SHIELD APPEAL
During this time they have been doing face painting, painting activities and making apple slinkies with the students.
May 30 will see the year 7 students involved in the annual Salvation Army Red Shield Doorknock Appeal.
Feel free to contact me regarding any questions or concerns you may have at any time.
This term they are planning a range of other activities to involve the whole College with the aim of building more relationships between Prep to Year 6 and Years 7 to 12.
They will be door knocking in the Elanora Area on the Saturday morning. This is an opportunity for them to help support others by raising money for this valuable community organisation.
There has also been a name change for Prep to Year 6 and Years 7 to 12. They are now called:
Thank you to the Year 12 leaders under the guidance of MR POWER for the work they are doing.
• Junior Learning Community (P-6)
ASSESSMENT PLANNER
We encourage as many year 7 students as possible to take some time out to give to the local community.
• Senior Learning Community (7-12)
Each term students in Years 7 to 12 receive a one age term planner called an "Assessment Planner". This document provides all students with information on when their assignments and exams are due.
From the commencement of this term the Secondary School (Years 7 to 12) has seen a change in the staff leadership structure. VINCE WAKEFIELD has moved to a new role of Head of Teaching and Learning (Prep to Year 12). As a consequence I will now be looking after Years 7 to 12. This change has no immediate impact on the students as the day to day routine remains the same.
PETER FERNANCE (Year 11 Senior Studies Coordinator) has accepted the role of Assistant to the Head of School. His immediate focus will be on monitoring student progress and supporting staff in tracking student achievement and challenging them to strive further. We look forward to building an even stronger community over the coming year. Yours in Christ, Dirk van Bruggen Head of Senior Learning Community
Careful use of this planner will enable students to plan their work load so that they are able to meet their deadlines and produce quality work. Copies of each year level assessment planner can be found in the parent portal. If you are not sure where to look, feel free to contact the Secondary Office.
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ANZAC DAY SERVICE PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON PORTAL Friday 23 April saw our College community come together to remember those who have served in our armed forces and those who died in this service. We were honoured to have Major Andrew Cullen (retired) speak to us both as a parent and as a past member of the defence forces on what ANZAC means and the importance of understanding how lucky we are in Australia. The College Captains led us in a service that respected this and the history behind ANZAC Day. The way in which the Year 1 to Year 12
students showed their respect was through their participation in the service. Afterwards the members of the Defence Forces present took the time to comment on how appreciative and amazed they were at how our students showed respect in the service. It is appropriate that we come together as a community to show our respect and to acknowledge those who have served, not to glorify war but to honour these men and women.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPORT AND ACTIVITIES IN BREAKS Year 7 and 9 boys have asked for the opportunity for more sport options during break. As a consequence we have arranged the following for them as of this week: • The MPC courts are open for all of Break 1 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday • The covered tennis courts on Chocolate Drive are available in Break 1 for the boys to play cricket inside. This prevents balls hitting cars, buses or students. We welcome feedback and requests from members of our community and are always seeking to provide a wide range of break activities. In the next few weeks we will be launching the outdoor chess set in the Secondary Courtyard for students to use during the day.
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE NEWSLETTER | 7
TEACHING & LEARNING
NAPLAN: DON'T LOSE SLEEP OVER IT In just over a week Hillcrest Christian College will be joining over one million Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students in approximately 6000 Australian schools to administer over 5 million tests as part of the annual NAPLAN testing. WHAT IS IT? These nationwide standardised tests are administered and marked by ACARA and assess students' reading, writing, language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN AND HOW LONG DO THEY GO FOR? Tuesday 12 May 2015 1. Language Conventions Year 3: 40 Minutes Year 5: 40 Minutes Year 7: 45 Minutes Year 9: 45 Minutes 2. Writing Year 3: 40 Minutes Year 5: 40 Minutes Year 7: 40 Minutes Year 9: 40 Minutes Wednesday 13 May 2015 3. Reading Year 3: 45 Minutes Year 5: 50 Minutes Year 7: 65 Minutes Year 9: 65 Minutes Thursday 14 May 2015 2. Numeracy Year 3: 45 Minutes Year 5: 50 Minutes Year 7 (calculator): 40 Minutes
Year 9 (calculator): 40 Minutes Year 7 (non-calculator): 40 Minutes Year 9 (non-calculator): 40 Minutes WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT ON A TEST DAY? While we urge all students to be present on these days, If your child is unable to attend a particular day, we ask that you contact the Primary Reception (Yr 3 or 5) or Secondary Reception (Yr 7 or 9) so an alternate time may be arranged. WHAT CAN MY CHILD STUDY TO IMPROVE THEIR GRADES? Short answer – Nothing. It is not a test you can “study” for and making it a big deal won’t improve students’ performances, although it may increase their anxiety and reduce their performance. SO HOW CAN I HELP THEM? • Be sure to get your child here on time during the days of the exams. Children also will find it hard to settle down and focus on the test if they are rushing or late to class. • Give them a healthy breakfast and morning tea to maintain energy levels throughout the morning. Protein is better than carb or sugar heavy food. • Give TV and video games a rest before school. Research shows that exposure to television actually dulls thought processes for up to six hours. • Make sure your child is well rested the days before the tests and go to bed early the night before each test day.
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• Ensure your child has all of the tools necessary to carry out the task (2B pencils, eraser, sharpener, blue or black pen and water bottle).
by Microsoft Partners in Learning. They identify 6 skills that are key to better preparing learners for life and work in the 21st Century.
• Be encouraging and positive when talking through the process with your child.
Working productively in teams; integrating individual expertise ideas to create solutions; making substantive decisions together.
WHEN DO WE RECEIVE THE RESULTS? NAPLAN 2015 results will be provided to schools from midAugust to mid-September. We will then send them out to parents shortly thereafter. You can find more information at the link below: http://www.nap.edu.au/verve/_ resources/NAPLAN_2015_Parent_ information_brochure_web.pdf
PREPARING FOR THE 22ND CENTURY Ian Jukes, well known educator, author and futurist makes the provoking statement: "We need to prepare students for THEIR future not OUR past." We often talk about ensuring our students are ready for the 21st century. It's amazing to think that some of our Hillcrest students, especially those in our Junior Learning Community, will live to see the 22nd Century. What are 21st century skills? While there are different perspectives on what these skills are. One framework that demonstrates a comprehensive and clear approach is 21st Century Learning Design by Innovative Teaching and Learning a research organisation sponsored
Collaboration
Knowledge construction Going beyond knowledge reproduction to generate new ideas and understandings. Self-regulation Long-term responsibility for monitoring your own life, work and ongoing learning. Real-world problem-solving innovation
&
Defined challenges WITHOUT all information needed; procedures to arrive at a solution. Skilled communication Producing effective communication representing a set of connected ideas; not a single simple thought. Use of ICT for learning Exploring opportunities for using ICT to construct knowledge, create new ideas, products and solutions for authentic audiences and users. At Hillcrest Christian College, developing curriculum and teaching practices that ensure students have the skills needed to meet the challenges that they will face in the future has been a key focus for our teachers for a number of years. Teachers are continuing to become familiar with new ICT projects and activities are being developed to better develop these key skills in our students. We look forward to the exciting journey ahead.
PERFORMING ARTS
The cast of Jesus Christ Superstar are ready for their performances on 21-23 May 2015.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Jesus Christ Superstar 2015, Hillcrest Christian College – our authentically Christian production For much of my teaching life I have considered whether or not a Christian school could stage Jesus Christ Superstar. I have even surveyed classes and countless colleagues as to whether or not it could be done, could be acceptable, could be accountable to who we are as Christians. It wasn’t until I actually watched it; in full; a number of times; and was incredibly moved by the story of Jesus, a man who was God, and the message of the cross and resurrection that I became convinced that the power of the Gospel message can be starkly evident in it. Let’s start with the facts. The musical does NOT follow one of the four Gospels in the bible. It doesn’t try to. The four Gospels of Matthew (AD 40-140), Mark (AD 5570), Luke (AD 62) and John (AD 80-90) were written by eyewitnesses or later converts to Christianity. As protestant Christians we accept these four books as canonical and the inspired word of God. For Catholics, there exists some fifty or so apocryphal Gospels – or in other words, accounts of the story of Jesus. Stories, some of which are eyewitness accounts which we can learn from. The storyline of Jesus Christ Superstar cannot be accepted or rejected based upon it’s factual alignment with the Gospels. It is a Gospel inspired story, yet often fictional piece of theatre, told through the eyes of Judas (the betrayer).
JCS does not emphasize the deity of Christ, but it does not deny it. It portrays Jesus as very human and at times not very divine. It takes liberties with what Jesus may have felt, may have said; but nothing in it is defiantly heretical or antiChristian. It is all in the producer and directors interpretation of the libretto. A libretto is the text used for a work such as an opera or a musical. It is the script. That is what a director works with for Jesus Christ Superstar. Some of you may have seen certain films or productions of it, and came away thinking it was decidedly un-Christian, and I would agree. However, once you look at the libretto through the lens of a Christian world-view; it can – and will be at Hillcrest – performed in a God honoring, and God inspired way.
any of us would ask if we were in that position, "Why, Lord, why?” Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera, it is modern, it has a rock band, screaming electric guitars, dancing and humour. In it, Jesus is a revolutionary. Sadly, if Jesus walked the earth today, many of his contemporary followers who are so tied to the status quo would fail to recognize Him because His ideas were so revolutionary. Jesus hung out with anybody; the good guys, the bad guys, tax collectors and prostitutes. He did this, and yet was without sin. He could only do this because he was sanctified.
Jesus Christ Superstar can be uncomfortable for some Christians, as it poses a number of historical questions, and opens up the unanswered doubts that people can have about Jesus and the Gospel. It makes some people uncomfortable because it acknowledges that Jesus was both man and God; and often looks more at the man. This for me is the Passion of this musical. It is the point we humans can relate to.
This leads us to his relationship with Mary Magdalene in the musical. She is a figure of some controversy. Her big song, "I don't know how to love him", indicates some sort of wish on her part for a relationship with Jesus. It is not actually ever defined though as a hope for a romantic relationship or a platonic one. Some would see it as the confused longing of a woman who never knew how to relate to a man in a normal way. The beautiful thing about this musical (and the Gospel) is that Christ can relate to her, and accepts her. He accepts us where we are at; can forgive us; and change us.
An example of this and one of the most powerful songs in the show is called "Gethsemane", in which Jesus questions the idea of dying on the cross. In the end, he agrees to do his Father's will, but ends the song with the challenge, "Take me now before I change my mind!" This concept is extremely powerful and shows Christ in his fear and pain in that moment. He asks the same question
I was shocked when I read that at the first performances of JCS in 1972 in London’s West End, the protests were so strong and violent that musicians had to be escorted by police into the theatre each night. The protesters were hurling insults, abuse, food and other more dangerous things at the musicians. The protesters were apparently Christians opposed to the content in the show….I
doubt they had actually seen it. Were they to actually investigate the show further; they would have realized that the offence taken by them was not in the content itself, but in the implied content as portrayed through a directors creative decision making and ultimately world-view. I think too many people these days gather their opinions from what they are told, rather than personal experience. I think God can speak to us through the truth of the Gospel according to St John; can speak to us though a friend; can speak to us through a Donkey (Numbers 22:28); can speak to us though our own experience and encounters with him; and can speak to us through the musical, Jesus Christ Superstar. I have read a number of stories of this very thing happening. This is my hope and prayer for Jesus Christ Superstar at Hillcrest Christian College; that the truth of the Gospel be evident, that our Lord’s death and resurrection be so overwhelmingly apparent, that people are changed by the passion of Christ. With the initial three shows 100% SOLD OUT, we are excited to announce that we have added a 12pm Saturday Matinee. Get in fast to book tickets to avoid disappointment. There will be no further seats made available. Witness an incredibly talented cast drawn from our world-class choral program; a band of the Gold Coast's best rock musicians; and an industrial-themed set which will blow your mind! Click on the following link to reserve your tickets. www.trybooking.com/HIBP
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE NEWSLETTER | 9
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
nee Saturday Mati shows added after all days! SOLD OUT in 8 avoid BOOK NOW to t disappointmen
Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Lyrics by TIM RICE 7.00pm, 21-23 MAY 2015
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE THEATRE, 21 BRIDGMAN DRIVE, REEDY CREEK $20 ADULTS | $10 CHILD/CONCESSION | $60 FAMILY www.trybooking.com/HIBP TM© 1996 The Really Useful Group Limited BY ARRANGEMENT WITH ORiGiN™ THEATRICAL ON BEHALF OF THEHILLCREST REALLY USEFUL GROUP LIMITED CHRISTIAN COLLEGE NEWSLETTER | 10
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