It is with sadness that we inform our school community that after 15 years of service at our school, Natalie Costello will be finishing up at the end of the 2022 school year.  Nat has expressed that she is ready for a new adventure outside of the classroom setting. I know many people (staff, students, parents) will feel very sad about Nat leaving, but we respect Nat's decision and we are pleased that she will remain a parent in our community.  

Below are some reflections and words from Nat.....

What is it about the school that you have enjoyed over the years that you have worked here? 

The school has an ‘indescribable vibe’.  It is a melting pot of like-minded people, whose common goal is guiding young people to be responsible citizens with a social conscience.  I love how inclusive the school is, encouraging individuality and accepting diversity.  The staff are incredibly invested, it’s more than a ‘job’.  I have made some excellent friends since I have worked at the school.

What is a favourite memory that you have from your time here?   

There is not just one favourite memory, I have numerous.  I feel privileged to have witnessed many students accomplish firsts.  Moments on camp when students have attempted kayaking for the first time.  In bike ed, I saw two students conquer riding a bike for the first time.  I could go on and on.   On a personal note, launching our school’s Reconciliation Action Plan has been a highlight and winning a grant application for Values Education and implementing school and community service many years ago. 

What will you miss about The Hills Montessori School?   

I will miss the whole school community.  I will miss working with the children daily and supporting them as they grow, learn and develop.  I love that the students at this school are empowered to grow at their own pace, with individual needs taken into consideration.  I am passionate about the Montessori methodology and philosophy.  Dr Maria Montessori was a genius and readings that I have done, courses I have done, assignments I have written about Montessori, have kept spinning me into awe.  Applying the theory in the classroom makes sense to me.  Educating the whole child for the betterment of humankind is never going to become outdated and The Hills Montessori School walks the talk.

Parting words 

I have come to a stage in my career where I am at a junction. I am looking to have a role outside of the classroom setting, and feel excited about prospects, although this also presents huge uncertainty. This is a new chapter in my life waiting for me that I need to explore.  I have learnt an enormous amount from working at The Hills Montessori school and feel I have developed both professionally and personally because of my experience at the school.

I would like to extend my thanks to the whole school community for their support over the years and wish you all the very best in the future. 

In our last news letter we announced that  Cycle 2 student, Mila, had been shortlisted in the National Australia Indonesia Language Awards (NAILA) 2022.

We are delighted to say that Mila's shortlisted entry was judged against the best entries in her category, Early Primary – Year 2, by a panel of  judges and she has placed 3rd in Australia! Congratulations Mila, such a fantastic achievement.

To view Mila's entry, click here: National Australia Indonesia Language Awards

On Thursday 10th November we had our annual Games Day. The Games Day was a great success with students from Cycles 2, 3 and 4 joining together to make up eight different groups. This year we had colours and animals to make up the groups. It was an opportunity to meet students from other cycles as well as working with a mix of ages and abilities. The groups were faced with eight different challenges that required students to work together, build trust, communicate, persevere and have fun.   

 It was lovely to see how each group embraced the spirit of the day as they tackled the challenges with positivity and enthusiasm. Each challenge required a different set of skills, which saw students building trust as they led each other around blindfolded, or problem solved the crabwalk minefield. Other stations required students to encourage each other around the obstacle course and scooter board racetrack.  

 At the end of the Games Day groups came together for the famous tug of war which was lots of fun. Thanks to all the teachers who ran the various stations. Thanks to the students for arriving in colour and adding to the spirit of the day – it was a wonderful day. 

Attila Nandori

PE Specialist

On Friday 11th November the Preschool and Cycle 1 Primary came together for an afternoon Games Day. Students were split into four groups and participated in various activities. We had the egg and spoon relay, three-legged racetrack, parachute, and obstacle course. It was lots of fun being out in the fresh air and getting to work with students from the other classes.  

Attila Nandori

PE Specialist

Children in our Infant Program have been experiencing all the different weather that spring has to offer, including rain, hail and finally some sunshine!

A special thank you to Ava for sharing her spring chicks with the group which was a  memorable mat time experience. Some highlights for spring activities have included learning about the importance of bees and spring time baby animals. 

The Preschool students have enjoyed connecting with Cycle 3 students through the Buddy Reading program this term. Buddy reading involves Cycle 3 students selecting and reading picture books to Preschool students in the younger students' familiar environment. Through consecutive visits, preschool students are gaining an awareness and developing a stronger connection to the wider school community. Buddy reading is also a wonderful opportunity for peer mentoring, it fosters confidence for both age groups and encourages a love of literature through peer role-modelling.

Thank you Cycle 3 students, we have loved having you!

This week our Cycle 1 primary classes met with specialist outdoor learning educator, Maria Taylor. Prior to our session, Maria had enquired about all of the different topics we had been studying this term. She then guided us through a learning experience in the bush that supported those themes.

Linking with our learning of Rocks and Minerals and how our earth can change and be sculpted, Maria introduced us to the Japanese art form of making Dorodango (polished dirt balls). The children thoroughly enjoyed squishing and sculpting the mud to start their own Dorodango. They commented that perhaps they needed to dig deeper into the earth to get to the more 'sticky' dirt as the topsoil was too crumbly. The starting Dorodango is kept in a bag to start to dry and then overtime thin layers can be added to the ball. Once it has cured and is firm the Dorodango can then be polished. 

The children practised weaving with red and white wool around a cross of sticks to create a display to signify upcoming Remembrance Day. Although the weaving frames were a fine motor and coordination challenge, the children all created something with their own flare. 

Both activities lean nicely towards ongoing practise of patience and persistence whilst creating and, of course, the ever so important connection with nature and the outdoors. 

Alice reflected that working with Maria was really fun and the weaving was lovely. Elysia said, "It was awesome to squish the mud". Noah remembered that the Dorodango was a way of making art that came from Japan. Dallas shared that making the Dorodango was super fun but also hard. Scarlett shared, "I really liked weaving around the sticks at our outdoor learning lesson. We used red and white to remember World War I". 

This term Cycle 2 students have been learning about simple machines and how they make work easier for us. The students have been introduced to a new, simple machine at the beginning of the week and presented with different examples found in various tools/objects. Working in small groups, we have enjoyed various hands-on activities and STEM related tasks to investigate the various simple machines. 

Wheels and Axles included learning about friction and building of a small ‘peg car’. In small groups the students built a marble run game whilst learning about inclined planes. Slope adjustment was necessary to ensure the required speed. When learning about wedges, various objects were used to divide modelling clay in half as they investigated what it was that helped certain objects cut through the clay easier than others. This week when learning about levers, the students built a balancing scale and performed activities adjusting the ‘effort’ cup as the fulcrum was moved further away from the ‘load’. Once we have finished learning about all the simple machines, we will be building a Rube Goldberg machine.

Throughout Term 3 & 4, Cycle 3 prepared for their yearly production. This year saw the performance of The Greatest Show. Students auditioned at the end of Term 2, took their scripts home in the holidays and began memorising their lines. Those who opted for a backstage and crew part began designing set, props and planning the timing of music. Throughout the preparation of the play, many practical life, social and personal skills were developed. The best part about the Cycle 3 play (in a teacher's opinion) is the collaboration between the two classes, which came back to a pre-COVID level. 

On Wednesday October 26, the performers had their first full dress rehearsal with sound, lighting, microphones and most importantly, an audience of Yultiwirra students from younger year levels. Nerves were high, technology was temperamental, but the students pushed on to deliver a great performance and it was said to be the best some staff had ever seen!

The following day after some rejigging of equipment, feedback, conversations and major pep talks, the first official performance took place as a matinee. Around 40 family and friends of Cycle 3 were in the audience.  Students demonstrated character, timing and the sound and lighting techs felt much more confident than the day before. The backstage crew who were constantly waiting for their cue to change the set, did a phenomenal job. 

Later that evening, the night time and final performance took place. Make up was on, hair was curled and teased and the crowd poured in. Around 130 people filled the Yultiwirra Hall to view the show. As the sun was beginning to set, the lighting looked better than ever. By this performance, students were having fun, and their character portrayal was at its strongest.

As the final song played, the smiles were beaming and the highly entertaining show had come to an end. Many students expressed their sadness that it was over, and others cheered saying that they can't wait for their next performing arts experience, which for many will be in the Adolescent Program Cabaret. 

"I found it very fun getting into character. It was amazing that the lines just kept coming out of my mouth!" Ollie M

"I enjoyed basically every single aspect of the play, especially using sound equipment."  Oscar W

"It was super scary, but we did it! We got to wear makeup on the night." Mackenzie T

One of the key aspects of a Montessori Occupation is an authentic and applicable outcome. This term is a great example of how Occupations are an integral part of serving our community and how, through these, students leave a legacy at our Wairoa campus. Below is a snapshot of what our students are working towards:

Rebuilding the Productive Garden

Carrying on from last term, our students are expanding the capacity of our garden. Work such as upgrading the garden shed, installing a greenhouse, planting a stone fruit orchard, understanding irrigation systems, and reducing erosion in the area have all been important learning experiences for our students, and ones that will benefit our school community for years to come.

Managing Waste

In 2022, ‘waste’ is a hot topic in homes, schools, and workplaces. The central work in this Occupation has been addressing our waste management systems and considering creative, user-centred ways of reducing landfill generated on our campus. Students perform audits and study their own habits, as well as examine on-site opportunities and challenges, to build intuitive systems that can be implemented on a long-term basis.

Transitions and Celebrations

This Occupation focuses on planning and facilitating the many events that Term 4 holds. Events such as Games Day, the Family Picnic, Year 9 Graduation, and Transition Day all offer an opportunity for students to learn the (often hidden) work that goes into appealing to different stakeholders. Students use a variety of planning and data collection methods, as well as flexing their creative muscles, to help each attendee get the most out of each event.

Catering Events

Cycle 4 has a long-standing tradition of equipping students with the skills necessary to not just cook for themselves, but produce interesting and delicious food for others. In Catering Events, students are holding a Cycle 4 Pizza Day; planning, working, and catering for our Week 5 Spring Blossom Cafe; and planning and catering the Year 9 Graduation. In preparation for Cafe, students also had a masterclass with Bonnie, from Charlie Boy’s Coffee, to learn more about making the perfect coffee!

These varied offerings reflect not only our staff capacity, but the way in which our students embrace opportunities to broaden their understanding of their own capacity as learners. The constellation of skills with which each student of The Hills Montessori School leaves are a testament to their own curiosity and courage as ever-changing people in a world of flux.

During Term 4 we have been outdoors in the fresh air learning all about lacrosse. Students have been covering the basics such as: cradling, scooping, throwing and catching. We’ve also been working in small groups playing modified games with a focus on using the team to move the ball up the pitch. 

 Our fitness sessions have focused on developing individual skipping skills from the basic single rope jump to cross-overs and double-unders. Skipping is a fantastic skill for coordination and timing as well as being a great cardio activity. We have discussed the importance of learning how to manage our own fitness and find enjoyable ways to regularly move our bodies.  

 Wairoa students have been exploring a range of Indigenous games as well as several rounders games such as tee ball, softball and baseball.   

Returning for its third year, the Adelaide Italian Festival invites all South Australians to immerse themselves in Italian culture for a full ten days. Running from 11-20 November there are almost 60 events on offer across Adelaide, including many which are FREE.

 The Adelaide Italian Festival provides the opportunity for people to celebrate Italy’s world-class food and wine, art, culture, technology and traditions. The 2022 program features a range of events from regional dinners, to cooking classes and demonstrations, exhibitions, car shows, art/historic tours, fashion and much more.

For the full program visit: Adelaide Italian Festival 2022

After a long hiatus, the Wairoa Cafe is finally back! Join us on Thursday 17 November from 9am-11.00am at our Middle School in Stirling for the Spring time Wairoa Cafe. 

The “Wairoa Café” is a great opportunity to visit the Wairoa campus where the adolescent students provide coffee & cake as part of their micro-economy enterprises. This is an opportunity for parents to meet, mingle and chat. All parents are invited no matter which campus your child attends! Come along and have a cuppa in this beautiful setting!

We are pleased for the return of the end of year concert at Yultiwirra this year - albeit slightly modifed. 

So as not to cram lots of people into the hall we will hold three end of year concerts, one for each cycle on Monday 12th December.

We invite parents to come along to enjoy some items and performances from the students.

9.30am - Cycle 1 Preschool and Cycle 1 Primary students

10.30am - Cycle 2 students

11.45am - Cycle 3 students

We ask that parents leave the car park promptly after each performance so that the next cycle of parents have some spaces to park.  We hope that parents can attend.

Congratulations to Bonnie Scott (Cycle 1 & 2 teacher) & Mike on the arrival of their son, Patrick (Paddy).