NEWSLETTER - The Hills Christian Community School

NEWSLETTER
“I remember running home from School, tears streaming down my face.
Through the open doors, I flew into my father’s strong embrace.
As he wiped away my tears, I found the strength to speak.
The kids at School all call me names ........ what’s wrong with me?
God made you perfect, just you remember that.
Term 4 Week 8
Every hair He put in place, every freckle upon your face
Issue 37 2012
He made you perfect, no matter what they say.
28th November 2012
You see when God made all of us, He didn’t make mistakes.”
HCCS
The Hills Christian Community School
This is the first verse and the chorus of a song sung by Carter and Carter, at Devotions last week.
David and Merelyn are a husband and wife team that travel throughout Australia performing
many of their own compositions, and this is one of them. Now when you first read it, you may
have been taken back to your own childhood and remembered some name calling that was
directed at you. Perhaps your child has come home from School, upset, that they have been
teased or someone has called them names. (It even could be that your child has upset another
child!) We all know that this is totally unacceptable and I would like to think that this never
happens in our School community. Of course, that would be very naive of me, as it does occur.
Wherever possible, we address the circumstances that we are made aware of, and endeavour to
help the children learn through these situations. However, there is also another side to this
story.
I believe each of us are able to help the children in our care to know what it is to feel accepted,
loved and secure in themselves. Could I encourage you as parents to go through this chorus with
your children, maybe even write it out with them and put it on their bedroom door. Let it be
something they say out aloud to themselves at the beginning and end of every day.
Please read and discuss Psalm 139 verses 13 – 18 with your children. “How precious are
your thoughts about me God.”
Clay Dyer was born without legs and only has one partial arm with no fingers or thumb. He loves
fishing and coaching football. He uses his neck and arm to hold and cast the rod. He attaches lures
using his mouth. He now competes on the National Pro Fishing Circuit. Clay says that when he was
almost 5 years old, he said, “Daddy, why did God make me like this?”
His Dad looked at him and with tears in his eyes said, “Son, I don’t know, but I do know God
doesn’t make mistakes.” Clay says that those words caused him to believe in himself, because he
knew God did, and he has gone onto achieve great things in life. (Watch Clay on YouTube and be
blessed!)
Always remember, God doesn’t make mistakes.
God Bless,
Desley Saldanha (Chaplain / Counsellor)
Tomorrow!
PO BOX 120 VERDUN SA 5245
PHONE: (08) 8388 7811
Newsletters can be accessed at www.hccs.sa.edu.au
Gold Coin Donation
EMAIL:enquiries@hccs.sa.edu.au
FAX: (08) 8388 1308
Welcome to our new student
Prayer & Praise Points

Thank God for a successful Parent General Meeting
HCCS is delighted to welcome Ebony-Jade NashSmith to Year 6/7.We pray God’s richest blessing
as you join our community.

Thank God for the ELC staff who organised a wonderful
Christmas performance last Sunday

Thank God for the volunteers from the HCCS Community
who give of their time so freely
Did you know….

Pray for the Reception Nativity which will be performed at
Assembly this week and for families and Grandies next
week

Pray for students and parents as they receive their child’s
placements for 2013 today.

Thank God for the care and thought that is put in by our
teaching team as they have prepared the 2013 class
placements

Pray for the Year 1 class as they participate in the Mt
Barker Christmas Pageant this Saturday.

Pray for Ebony-Jade Nash-Smith as she settles into our
community.
half of the children in the world
live in poverty. That equates to 1 billion children?
Cans for Christmas
To help those in need this
Christmas, please bring a can
of food to School by Tuesday,
December 4th. All proceeds will
go to the Salvation Army.
Last year, HCCS contributed towards over 1,000 cans to make a
special Christmas for those who are less fortunate. This is being
sponsored by LJ Hooker Stirling.
2011
FAMILY DATABASE CHECK
These forms were due back last week. There are still a
number outstanding. Please ensure these are completed
and returned to School this week.
1 billion children
in poverty
EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
We notice a number of families have moved house and as
such contact details have changed. Please ensure that
any change of information is given to the School as soon
as possible. This ensures that we are able to give the
best possible care to your children and contact you
at all times.
HCCS PLAYGROUP
Friday, November 30th
Excursion to the
Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens
(meet in the bottom car park at 10am)
Congratulations to Rosie, Bev and the ELC staff
Friday, December 7th
team for a wonderful concert of songs and dance
which captivated a huge turn out last Sunday
afternoon. There were over 75 ELC children in the
concert and 190 adults who enjoyed themselves
immensely.
Christmas Break—Up Party
T ER M 4 WE E K 8
(Please bring $2, a plate of food to share and a
small gift for your own child)
P AG E 2
CHRISTMAS
WORSHIP SERVICE
AND
YEAR 7 GRADUATION
Monday 10th December 2012
Commencing at 7.00pm
In the HCCS Hall
This is an exciting time of the year, as we teach
the children the true meaning of Christmas
'celebrating the birth of Jesus.'

ALL STUDENTS to arrive by 6.45pm and meet teachers
at their class area.

FULL SUMMER UNIFORM (NO HATS) to be worn.

During the Service we ask that YOUNGER CHILDREN
remain with parents and not be allowed to move around the
Hall.

There will be a SUPPER for STAFF and YEAR 7 FAMILIES
afterwards AT THE SCHOOL.
Last week, the Reception classes were putting the
finishing touches on their Nativity performance with
the assistance of out ICT teacher, Ms Lancaster.
The students had lots of fun recording their
narrations for the Nativity Movie.
You are welcome to join us for their Assembly in
the Beaumont Building, on Friday which begins at
2.35pm. (CHANGE OF TIME FOR THIS WEEK ONLY)
Mt Barker Christmas
Pageant
This Saturday, 10.30am
Look out for our children from Mrs
Nicholls’ Year 1 class.
This week, the Receptions have also been practising
their songs as they get ready for the performance
for Friday’s Assembly and the performances for the
Receptions' families next week.
While the 2013 Receptions had their second morning
Orientation, the parents were ‘prepared’ for school by
Deputy Principal, Angela Harvey.
A special appearance is made by Matilda Herbert,
Mrs Herbert’s daughter, who plays baby Jesus in the
movie!
T ER M 4 WE E K 8
P AG E 3
How to make a banana split
In Procedure Writing, Mr Ritchie’s Year 4 and Mr
Hodges’ Year 3/4 classes made a banana split. We
had to follow the procedure. The materials we used
were chocolate sauce, bananas, ice-cream, a
bowl, knife, fork and napkins. We all had lots of
fun following the procedure and we got to eat it. Mr
Shepherd enjoyed it also! YUM! Saffie
This year we have been raising money for the Congo Kids.
When we saw them they were so happy even after what
they have been through. We felt so sad and we wanted to
help them.
We decided to do some fundraising so that they can live a
better life. We had ‘guess the lollies’, sold milo drinks
and cookies and held discos and games.
In the end we raised $1,217.60 which in the Congo is
equivalent to $12,176.00. We are all proud of ourselves
and were very excited when we heard how much we had
raised.
We would like to thank everyone for their participation
and for the purchases that were made. It really helped.
At Assembly last Friday, we gave the cheque to Mr
Osborne.
Gracie and Allani
We are very grateful to
the wonderful people
who kindly volunteer
their time to help make
this School special! As a
small token of our
appreciation, the School
provided a morning tea
to those who were able
to
ma k e
it
la st
Thursday.
T ER M 4 WE E K 8
P AG E 4
Staff and students who attended the Lower
Primary and Upper Primary Talent Shows
last week were astounded by the variety
and the talents of the performers. We are
all grateful to the House Captains for their
leadership and initiative with these
wonderful events.
The Library saw
the
Junior
P r i m a r y
students giving
it a go!
The audience had as much fun as the
performers and cheered everyone on!
The
Beaumont
Building was filled
with so much LOVE,
FUN and LAUGHTER!
T ER M 4 WE E K 8
2012
On the 18th October, the Sartory String Quartet
(Pascale, Sophie, Aaron and Susanna), visited us and gave a
performance to the whole School.
Payton and Adam, pictured with Grace Portolesi
(Minister of Education and Child Development)
and Jay Weatherill (Premier of SA) attended the
Premier's Reading Challenge Reception with Mrs
Abbott on Friday, 9th November. They were presented
with a certificate on behalf of our School for our
outstanding achievement in the Premier’s Reading
Challenge for 2012.
Last week, students received medals for participating
in the PRC. The following students received ‘Readers
for Life’ Certificates for participating in the PRC for
the last 8 years: Renee Jenkins, Jed Groening,
Sam Roberts, Matilda Lorimer and Jake Roberts.
Haider received a Principal’s Award for his
outstanding efforts in completing the Challenge in only
6 weeks.
They played a selection of music from Baroque to Pop. They
played the violin, cello and viola. My favourite part was
when they played pop music by Michael Jackson.
Pascale and Susanna played very well on the violin and
interacted well with the School. Sophie was very good at
playing the cello especially when she played to us ‘The Little
Green Frog.’ Aaron also played very well on the viola and he
played music from a scene from Harry Potter. I would
recommend this concert for other children who are into
playing their own instruments and I give this concert
Isobel Kuiper
I really liked their performance because they put us into
groups to tap to their beats and they plucked their strings. It
sounded really cool! My favourite bit was when I asked them
to play a rock song and they played Billie Jean.
Lily Hannaford
Congratulations everyone on another successful year
in reading.
Lisa Abbott and Catherine Lovelock
Congratulations
Olivia and Adalyn on
being
selected
to
participate in an inter club
gymnastics
competition
o n
S u n d a y .
They both did very well!
Congratulations
Nicole, Jack, Isabella, Benjamin, Lucy and Asha
for receiving Wallis Awards at last week’s Assembly.
T ER M 4 WE E K 8
P AG E 6
Music Tuition forms for 2013 were sent home to
families late last week. If you would like your child to
learn an instrument, please return the Enrolment Form to
the Front Office by Friday 7th December 2012.
A trip back to Ancient Egypt
Last week, the Year 6/7 class celebrated their
learning by holding a class exhibition. The
students were excited to share their knowledge
with other classes across the School. The students
worked tirelessly to prepare their exhibits and
their researched questions.
I was very proud of the way they shared their new
found skills and knowledge while interacting with
people of all ages.
WE WISH YOU WELL MRS SHEPHERD!
Last Friday, The Year 1/2 class organised a party for
Mrs Shepherd. Jo commenced Maternity Leave on
Monday and the whole School community wishes her
and David every blessing as they deliver their
daughter and sister for Bailey VERY SOON. We are
praying for God’s richest blessing on their family!
Adam Stevens (Year 6/7 Teacher)
Comments from Year 5 Students:



I learnt that Egyptians wore a lot more makeup
than Australians. Victoria
I learnt that the Sphinx lost his nose from target
practice from some tribe. I had a great time and
learnt great things. Josiah
I learnt that they had lots of tombs filled with
paintings of what happened in their time. Lucy
Congratulations
Last Sunday, Catherine, Sophie, Alicia and Matthew
attended their National Karate Grading. Sophie and Alicia
obtained their Yellow Belts while Catherine and Matthew
received their 2nd tips for yellow belts in the Miranda Kai
System.
T ER M 4 WE E K 8
P AG E 7
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wed 28th
HCCS Secondary Orientation Day at Oakbank
Thurs 29th
HCCS Secondary Parent Meeting 7.30pm
Casual Day
Fri 30th
26th Nov:
Lunch orders
Zoe Stark
Adam Brown
Playgroup Excursion to the Mt Lofty Botanical
Gardens-meet there at 10am at the bottom car park
Charlotte Dawes
Year 5/6 Masterchef
27th Nov:
Miss Fraser
Assembly—Receptions’ Nativity and the ‘Blue Grass
Band’ 2.35pm (change of time)
28th Nov:
Leo Bennier
Emily Watts
December
Sat 1st
Mt Barker Christmas Pageant (Year 1)
29th Nov:
Ashleigh Kubiak
Mon 3rd
Year 2/3 Party 3.25pm—4.30pm
30th Nov:
Jacinta Jefferies
Tues 4th
Receptions’ Nativity for ‘Grandies’ and friends 10am
Madeline Noske
P & F Christmas Dinner at Oakbank Hotel, 7.30pm
Jack Alexander
Last day for ‘Cans for Christmas’
Wed 5th
Sausage Sizzle
Thurs 6th
New 2013 Students’ Orientation Morning and
‘Moving Up’ morning
1st Dec:
Edward Hill
Tess Spowart
2nd Dec:
Ruby Triplett
Year 1/2 Class Party
Receptions’ Nativity for parents 6.30pm
Fri 7th
Playgroup 9.30am—11.00am Christmas / Break-up
Party
Assembly—Year 7 ‘Students’ Revenge’ 2pm
Sat 8th
Year 7 Graduation Dinner
Mon 10th
Christmas Worship Service and Graduation
Wed 12th
Last day for students for 2012
Parent General Meting 2012
The School is grateful to staff and parents who attended
this very informative meeting and received reports from
the Chairman, Principal and Treasurer. A brief summary
of the meeting will feature in next week’s Newsletter.
Board Meeting
Refreshment Stop at HCCS
January 2013
Fri 25th
Second Hand Uniforms OPEN 2pm—3.30pm
Wed 30th
Sunday, March 17th 2013
Stationery Collection 2pm—3.30pm
Students First Day Term 1
COMMUNITY NEWS
Further information can be obtained from the School’s Front Office.
OZZ ORGANIC– Lice treatment and Prevention. NO CHEMICALS!
Phone 1300 761 302 or visit www.ozzorganic.com.au
SPORTS FUSION CLINICS—for students aged 5 — 14 years at
Prince Alfred College during the school holidays. Monday, January
7th —Thursday, January 10th. TENNIS, CRICKET, BASKETBALL,
SOCCER and COMBO. Phone 1300 134 154 or visit
www.acnsport.com.au
Kids Classes at Sticky Rice Cooking School in the Christmas
School Holidays.
Book online at our live calendarwww.stickyricecookingschool.com.au or call our office on 8339
1314.
SCHOOL TERM DATES 2013
TERM 1
Wed Jan 30th — Fri April 12th
TERM 2
Wed May 1st — Fri July 5th
TERM 3
Tues July 23rd—Fri Sept 27th
TERM 4
Mon Oct 14th—Wed Dec 11th
T ER M 4 WE E K 8
Bike SA has organised a recreational bike ride through the
Adelaide Hills on March 17th and HCCS has been invited to
host a Refreshment stop on our oval with use of the Hall
toilets. HCCS and Bike SA would appreciate 10
volunteers to provide directions / distribute drinks etc
between 9am and 12 Noon and will provide a donation in
return.
Even thought it is a while away, WE NEED TO HAVE A
SHOW OF INTEREST NOW! If you are interested in helping
please contact Deb Frahn at dfrahn@hccs.sa.edu.au by
Monday, December 10th. Thank you!
BANK SOME MONEY AND
YOU
COULD
BANK
YOURSELF AN iPAD MINI.
Simply making a deposit through
School Banking, before Friday 14th
December, will put you in the draw to
win one of twelve (12) iPad Mini’s
valued at $369 each, for Christmas.
For more information talk to Nikki Campbell on 0421 199 641
(HCCS School Banking Co-ordinator.)
P AG E 8