28-29 June: End of Year Celebration Party (Non-Uniform Days)
29 June: Last Day of School
30 June: Start of Summer Break
18 August: Whole Class Induction Zoom
19-20 August: Parent-Teacher Meeting Zooms
23 August: First Onsite Day
Dear Hillside Community
What a start to the week! We had a small waterfall down one wall and a few leaks here and there, but hopefully, it will all dry up overnight. Though this black rain has briefly stalled our end of year celebration, we will ensure that we have twice the fun tomorrow!
Thank you to all the children, families and staff for not only making it through this challenging year but for your tremendous personal and collective growth. Many of us (parents and teachers) balanced the challenging demands of simultaneously teaching/working and parenting. I want to acknowledge everyone, particularly as we are all navigating uncharted waters together.
If I said I wasn't worried about what would come as we embarked on this journey starting last August, it would have been far from the truth. But to my joy and surprise, the children and teachers never met a task they weren't able to overcome.
I was so proud of the resilience, creativity, innovation and care I have repeatedly observed during this crisis. Learning and teaching may look different now, but the commitment and care you provide the children will remain the cornerstone of our community. Please accept my sincere gratitude and acknowledgement of your support in ensuring the children are staying healthy and safe, and continuing to learn, during this pandemic.
To our site staff – thank you for working tirelessly to keep our school safe and clean each day.
To our admin staff – thank you for always willing to help when needed and keeping the school running smoothly each day.
To our teachers and EAs – thank you for your "keep trying" attitude, hard work, initiative, and flexibility.
To our parents and carers – thank you for supporting us every step of the way and encouraging us when needed.
To our children – thank you for being absolute superstars each and every day!
A colleague shared this poem recently, and I wanted to share it with our community.
Leisure, by W. H. DAVIES
"WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.”
We are always in a hurry and have no leisure time to look at the beauty spread all around us. Please take a few moments to “stand and stare” and enjoy the amazing and resilient children before our eyes.
Stay well and stay healthy! I wish all of you the best and have a great summer. We will see you in August for those returning!
Kind regards
Audrey
Please click on the links below to visit our class sites and learning blogs. You can also access these posts on the class site via the ESF App under the “Home Learning” tile.
K1 Class Sites: Dolphin ● Frog ● Panda ● Monkey
K2 Class Sites: Dragon ● Gecko ● Tiger ● Turtle
K1 Learning Blog ● K2 Learning Blog ● Newsletter Archives