Click to download the 2022-23 Hillside Calendar. You can also access the school calendar via the ESF App.

13-16 February: K1 PTCs

20-23 February:  K2 PTCs

20 February: Parent Webinar - Developing Language Skills 

3 March: Hillside Family Event

14-15 March: School Photo Days

31 March: Staff Meeting Day (No Classes)

3-14 April: Spring Break (School Closed)

17 April: Term 3 Commences

9 May: Parent Webinar - Why Sleep Matters

2 June: K2 to Y1 Transition Day

Dear Hillside Parents

Thank you to those who have completed the survey. Every time there is a survey, I feel it's important to pause, take stock and reflect on our current practice. Due to COVID, we've scaled back on certain things (e.g. parent volunteers and events); while there are other things we've become more accustomed to doing (e.g. online presence). As we adjust to the new norm, we need to take stock, reflect and refocus. For example, is it time to focus on reconnecting in person instead of relying too much on e-platforms? 

Over the coming weeks, I will review all the feedback and share it with you. A general theme was around the children's language development. Please take note of the upcoming parent webinar on "Developing Language Skills (and the impact from COVID)" on Monday, 20 February 2023, 12-1pm.

In the interim, I've attached the word clouds from our parent survey for your interest.

Warm regards
Audrey

We cordially invite all families to join us at our Hillside Family Picnic on Friday, 3 March. This has been a popular community event in previous years, and we are very excited to connect with our families. We hope the weather will be much kinder to us by that time. We will run two separate sessions for the morning and afternoon classes. 

Please complete the trip eNotice to confirm your attendance. You can access the Gateway eNotice via the ESF App, and see a “new eNotice to fill in now.”

The logistics:

• We will meet all families directly at Repulse Bay beach. 

• 9:30-11:15am (morning classes) and 12:30-2:15pm (afternoon classes)

• Meet your class teacher by your class picnic area for a quick briefing and greeting.

• Your class teacher will provide you with a set of instructions to go on a scavenger hunt along the beach.

• After the hunt, everyone can return to their class picnic area to socialise and connect.

What to bring:

• Wear your choice of comfortable clothing

• Water and a light snack

• A picnic mat

• Buckets and spades

• Sunscreen and sunhats

Your child's How the World Works Unit of Inquiry report is now available for viewing. Please refer to the graphics below to access your child's report. When viewing the report, we invite those parents interested in contributing by adding your comment in the "parent response to learning" box.

We have scheduled Peter Inglis, a professional photographer, to come on 14-15 March to take photos of children in school. We have worked with Peter in the past, and he has been fantastic with the children. Peter has a selection of puppets and tricks and lots of patience to make the children smile. The children are now developing their confidence and personalities; I’m sure there will be many fun sessions throughout the day. 

Four classes are scheduled for each day:
Tuesday 14 March - All K1s
Wednesday 15 March - All K2s

Due to the pandemic, Peter will only be taking photographs of individual children and siblings. Therefore, we will ask for a collage format for class photos. 

Please note each child will have their face mask off momentarily for their individual photo shoot. However, everyone else around will be keeping their face masks on and socially distanced. Please inform your child’s class teacher in advance if you DO NOT wish for your child to participate in the photos hoot. 

Hillside has arranged for an optometrist to visit our school for Vision Screening. This important screening is available to all children and we encourage you to register. Optometrist Suzan Salnikow will visit on Friday 17 and Friday 24 March 2023. Suzan runs a children’s and baby’s optometry clinic at The Matilda International Hospital. The fee is $300.

Ten aspects of vision are screened, please see the attached information sheet. Reports and receipts will be distributed after the screening, together with further advice if needed. 

Registration is via this Eventbrite link [Web Link]

Title: Developing Language Skills (and the impact from COVID)

When: Monday, 20 February 2023, 12-1pm

Speaker: Joice Almeida is a Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist and a specialist in the field of Feeding Therapy. 

The key topics Joice will cover are:

• Receptive Language development from 2 to 5 years 
• Expressive language development from 2 to 5 years
• Pragmatic skills development 
• Red flags for speech and language delay
• How covid has affected children's language development and pragmatic skills
• Parents strategies how to support language development

Please CLICK HERE to REGISTER in advance. 

Title: Why Sleep Matters

When: Tuesday, 9 May 2023, 12-1pm

Details and registration to follow.