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Kia ora koutou
Our building project which includes the revamp of the library and three learning spaces is making good progress and is on track to be completed later this term. This will be exciting for three of our senior classes who are in their temporary work spaces.
There has been a lot of media attention to the new mathematics and English curriculum being rolled out by the Ministry of Education. At HNS we are focusing on implementing the updated mathematics curriculum this first half of the year and have already held teacher only days in January unpacking and planning this. For the past three years our staff have been engaged in mathematics professional learning practices that align well with this. We will be moving to unpack the English curriculum later in the year, with our school already having moved to the inclusion of Structured Literacy in literacy programmes for a number of years.
We look forward to seeing you at our Meet the teacher / Family picnic this evening. The first part is in the classrooms at 6.00pm, followed by a family picnic at 6.30pm if weather permits. You will need to bring your own blanket and food. Please note that there will not be food trucks at this event, but the senior students are selling ice blocks and drinks as a fundraiser for their class trips.
Noho ora mai
Marie Bramley, Principal
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Maungatautari te maunga whakaruruhau
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Comte de Paris tōku waka
Ko Ngāti Pakeha tōku iwi
No Cambridge ahau
Ko Baker tōku whānau
Ko Peter tāku tāne
Ko Hannah, William and Rebecca tāku tamariki
Ko Olive, Marco and Angus tōku mokopuna
Ko Marie Bramley tōku ingoa
No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa
Greetings, greetings, greetings to you all
Maungatautari mountain is my shelter
The river is Waikato
My family arrived in New Zealand on the Comte de Paris from France
Pakeha is my tribe
Cambridge is where I come from
My family is Baker
My husband is Peter
Hannah, William and Rebecca are my children
Olive, Marco and Angus are my grandchildren
My name is Marie Bramley
Therefore greetings, greetings, greetings to you all
Kia ora koutou
I am proud to be the Principal and lead Hillcrest Normal School, a position I have held for the past eight years.
My role is to oversee the learning and teaching of all our tamariki and staff while working toward our vision Kia puawai te ngakau - Growing Creative Learners from within through our SHINE values. Alongside this I work with our dedicated board to govern the school as well as being responsible for all aspects of the day to day management.
It is a privilege to work with such delightful children, watching them grow holistically and working with our talented staff through a strength based approach.
We are fortunate to have a strong sense of community and we value the partnerships we have with our parents / whanau, working together for the children’s learning.
Previously I have worked in a range of teaching and leadership roles in the Waikato and Taumarunui areas, as well as working for the Education Review Office (ERO).
Nga mihi nui
Marie
Andy Peart, Deputy Principal
Ko Ngāti Pākehā tōku iwi
No Raglan ahau
Ko Peart tōku whānau
Ko Christina tāku wahine
Ko Scout, Piper me Daisy a maua tamāhine
Ko Andy tōku ingoa
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa
Greetings, greetings, greetings to you all
Karioi mountain is my shelter
The Whāingaroa harbour is the water that cleanses me
My family arrived in New Zealand on the Rimutaka
Raglan is where I come from
My family name is Peart
My wife is Christina
and Scout, Piper and Daisy are our daughters
My name is Andy
Therefore greetings, greeting, greetings to you all
I am very fortunate to be the Deputy Principal at Hillcrest Normal School with an incredible group of students and staff who help learning come alive.
I am passionate about seeing the full development of the ‘whole child’, celebrating their strengths and helping grow their dispositions, character, understanding, capabilities and skills. I also enjoy helping foster a creative community of learners and working with our school whānau to ensure success for all of our students in a way that reflects who they are.
I love to spend time in and on the water, read, write (I was fortunate enough to work with a friend to release a children's book last year), create music and spend time with my whānau and friends.
Ngā mihi nui
Sandra Neil, Assistant Prinicpal
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Ngāti Pākehā tōku iwi
No Kirikiriroa ahau
Ko Jones tōku whanau
Ko Claire rāua ko Callum aku tamariki
Ko Mateo raua ko Albert tōku mokopuna
Ko Sandra tōku ingoa
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa
Greetings to you all
Taupiri is the mountain
Waikato is the river
and I am Pakeha
Kirikiriroa Hamilton is where I come from
My family name is Jones
Claire and Callum are my children
Mateo and Albert are my grandsons
My name is Sandra
Therefore greetings to you all
Hillcrest Normal School is such a great place to learn. I have been teaching here since 1998 and I even came to school here when I was 5. I love working here with lots of wonderful colleagues and our school community. In my role as Assistant Principal, I mainly support the children, teachers and families in the Junior school. Meeting our nearly five year olds as they attend Schoolbridge transition visits is one of the highlights of my week. I also have overall responsibility for Learning support in the school with a particular focus on ESOL learners.
Outside of school I enjoy walking, reading and singing in a choir. I catch up with my family whenever I can.
Miel Maclean, Assistant Principal
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Ingarangi te whakapaparanga mai,
engari
Ko Te Kuiti te whenua tupu
Ko Kirikiriroa te kāinga
Kei Tihipuke au e noho ana
He kaiako au i Pūtikitiki Te Kura
Ko Jason taku tane
He Holly raua ko Jaxon aku tamariki
Ko Miel Maclean taku ingoa
Tēnā tātou katoa
I have worked at Hillcrest Normal School for 15 years, ten of these as Team Leader of Year 4. I am privileged to continue this leadership as Assistant Principal, overseeing the Middle Team. I have a passion for creating opportunities for children to find their strengths and grow a love of learning and believe strong partnerships with whanau are an important part of this. One of my roles is helping lead Literacy across the school to create pathways for children who require both support and extension by working alongside students and supporting teacher capability.
Hillcrest Normal School is a special place to be part of, one that supports and nurtures the growth of not only students, but staff and the wider school community, making it a joy to come to school each day.
Leigh Mason, Acting Assistant Principal
Kia ora Tātou
Ko Parihaka te maunga
Ko Hatea te awa
Ko Matoaka tōku waka
Ko Pākehā tōku iwi
Ko Mason tōku whānau
No Whāngarei ahau
Kei Morrinsville tōku kāinga ināianei
Ko te Whare Wananga O Waikato tōku kura
Ko Ngaia tāku wāhine
Ko Isabella tāku tamāhine
Ko Fletcher tāku tamatāne
Ko Leigh tāku ingoa
No reira
Tēnā koutou, Tēnā koutou, Tēnā koutou kātoa
Hello to you all,
My mountain is Parihaka
and the Hatea is my river.
The Matoaka is how my ancestors arrived.
I am from European decent
and come from the family Mason.
I come from Whangarei,
but Morrinsville is now my home.
The University of Waikato is where I studied.
My wife is Ngaia,
Isabella is my daughter
and Fletcher is my son.
My name is Leigh.
Greetings, greetings, greetings to you all.
I have been at Hillcrest Normal School now for a number years now, working in our Senior School as a teacher and am now an Assistant Principal with the privilege of continuing to work alongside Seniors and the rest of our Leadership Team. One of the highlights of my role is working with children in a number of capacities, including releasing their teachers, going on camps and running extension programmes. I have a strong interest in engaging our tamariki in Te Ao Māori among other curriculum areas and believe firmly in building on the individual strengths of every child.
Originally I come from Northland and as such, enjoy spending my time at the beach with whānau and friends when I get the opportunity to do so. Together with Ngaia, we have two children who currently attend Hillcrest Normal School.
School Times
| 8.25am | Children have entry to classes and school grounds |
| 8.55am | School commences |
| 10.40-11.00am | Morning break |
| 12.30-1.30pm | Lunch break |
| 3.00pm | End of school day |
| 3.20pm | All children to be off the school grounds or in After School Care. |
Before School
Children are expected to arrive at school from 8.25am. The school provides a Before School Care service that children may attend from 8.00-8.25am in the school hall. Children attending this, must go directly to the hall with their bag where they will be supervised until 8.25pm. We appreciate that our teachers arrive early to prepare for the day.
Children must not arrive at school before 8.00am.
Classes start at 8.55am and therefore we would appreciate your support in ensuring that your child/ren get to school on time. Arriving at least 5 minutes before the first bell allows your child to interact with their peers and teacher and get themselves ready for their busy day.
Please remind your child that they must sign in at the office if they are late. It is important at all times that we know where our students are.
Absences
Parents should contact the school when their child is absent.
- Use the school’s online absentee form.
- Via the SchoolsApp
- Leave a message on the school answerphone: 07 856 6122 (ext 1).
- Send a text message to 021 859 916 stating name, room number and reason for the absence.
- Send an email to enquiries@hillcrestnormal.school.nz.
- Send advice by written note to the school office.
A text message is sent out by 9.45am to all parents/caregivers of children who are unaccounted for. This system has been established to ensure the safety of all children and to monitor attendance. If we do not receive a response, your child will be marked as truant.
If your child is late to school, they are required to sign in at the office.
Please remember to advise the office in the morning if you are planning on collecting your child during the school day. This way it is less distracting for the teachers during their lessons if they are aware and we can have the children ready waiting in the office for you.
After School Pickup Procedures
If a student has not been collected by their parents by 3.15pm at the end of the school day, they must go to the school office. We then contact parents and make the necessary arrangements. Please do not take any child other than your own off the school grounds without prior parental consent. At 3.30pm, After School Care staff check the school grounds and gather any children still on site and take them to After School Care. Depending on circumstances and length of time, there may be a charge incurred.
Phones and Smart Watches at School
If for any reason your child needs to bring a phone or smart watch to school, please note that our school policy is that the children drop them off to the office before school and then collect at the end of the day. This way, they are kept safe and secure for the day.
Appointments During School Time
It would be much appreciated if where possible, you could please make any appointments for your children outside of school hours. However if this is not possible, please advise the office in the morning. This way it is less distracting for the teachers during their lessons if they are aware and we can have the children ready waiting in the office for you. We also discourage lunchtime pickups as it can be extremely difficult to find the children during this time.
Thanks for your co-operation with this.
This evening we are holding a meet the teacher & family picnic evening. We will start with an informal meeting with your child's teacher in their classrooms from 6.00-6.30pm followed by a family picnic and a few games on the back field from 6.30-7.30pm. We hope you will be able to join us as this is a great opportunity for our new families to meet other members of our HNS community.
Please bring your picnic blanket, dinner and drinks for your family. There will be no food trucks, however as a fundraiser for some upcoming field trips, the senior school will be selling ice blocks and Juicies on the back field during the picnic. Please bring some cash along if you would like to support them by purchasing one.
Unfortunately, if it looks like it might rain we will continue with the meet the teacher part however the picnic will be cancelled.
If you are planning on attending this event we ask that you please do not park in the New World car park.
Junior School
After running around and playing with our friends all lunchtime, room 19 and 18 has really enjoyed our swimming sessions in the pool.
For some of us this is our first time in the school pool environment. There are lots of things to remember from where we left our clothes and what they look like, to coping with lots of splashing noisy children. For our children, it’s always important to have some basic water safety skills early on once they become more comfortable with water. We teach them how to carefully slide into a pool and climb out safely, as well as generally rules like no running next to the pool. These early skills are important to make them feel safe around water and our school pool environment.
Over the course of the swimming season we are teaching the children to streamline their body position in the water and we introduce straight leg kicking leading to more efficient gliding. More confident children are introduced to breathing techniques and different arm strokes.
In an island nation like New Zealand it is important for us all to develop a healthy respect for water safety.
Middle School
Our lovely school pool has been put to good use so far this term! The middle syndicate classes have been eagerly awaiting their class sessions and are relishing the opportunity to cool off in this hot, muggy weather. This term, students have been further developing their awareness around water safety and safe practices in the pool. With the swimming sports just around the corner, each class has been working on improving stroke techniques and stamina to extend their swimming distance. It has been pleasing to see lots of happy faces in the pool and a positive attitude towards learning new skills. We welcome whānau to view students swimming progress at the middle syndicate swimming sports on Friday the 7th of March (Week 5). Please note that this is a new date (previously Week 6). Information regarding timing will be sent out shortly. We look forward to seeing you there.
Senior School
Self Portraits in room 6
Room 6 has already finished their self portraits!! So our job is to write about one of the LOTS of steps in the process.
Hello, we are the reporters of room 6 and we’re going to tell you how our self portraits were made.
First, we had to get out a plain white piece of paper then we sketched out ourselves with chalk. It was a little bit tricky because the chalk was very thick so we had to narrow things down a bit to get a thin line for our details.
Next we had a white piece of paper and wrote our names in bubble letters so it will POP out of the background. Soon after, we coloured our names in coloured pencil and then sharpied the names in black. Then we glued the name on the piece of black paper and then… TADA WE FINISHED OUR NAME!
Then we chose unique colours that represented us. It was challenging because everyone found it difficult to blend the colours with pastel and we learnt not to give up!
You take a toothpick and a black piece of paper 2x bigger than your actual self portrait. You take your pastels and make a brain bubble and make it colourful with at least 3 colours. After you're done you cover it with black paint. If you prefer you can wait for it to dry for clean hands. Butttttttttttt WE ARE NOT CLEAN PEOPLE, WE ARE MESSY. Take a toothpick, scratch it, not too hard though otherwise the paint will Disappear!
Finally, we made a metaphor about the colour and why we chose that colour to represent us. We had to think about the reason why we chose that colour to represent ourselves. I chose red because of my culture and Chinese New Year. This is important to me.
Written by Dissala, Jessica, Eric, Assel, Ariana
During March many of our students will be taking place in an initiative from the Hamilton City Council called Movin' March. This encourages students to walk, ride, scoot or skate to and from school. Even if your child's class is not participating you can encourage them to be active on their way to school. If you live far away your child can still participate by driving close to the school but allowing your child to actively commute the last part of the trip. The map below shows where students can be dropped off and still be counted as active commuters for that day.
Our Friends of the School (FOS) are holding their first meeting for the year on Thursday 6th March at 3.30pm in the staffroom. Please email the office if you would like to attend enquiries@hillcrestnormal.school.nz.
This group is an opportunity for parents to support the school through fundraising as well as build parent connections.
If you have not yet signed up for the School App, we highly recommend you do. The purpose of this app is to provide our school community with a convenient way to receive all school notifications, including alerts, registrations, newsletters, news and dates of events that you can sync to your calendar. There is also the ability to submit absentees and receive notifications directly related to your child/ren's class, year group and some out of school activities, ie sport and music.
Go to the App Store to your Apple or Android device and search 'SchoolAppsNZ' to download the app onto your device. Then search 'Hillcrest Normal School' to find the school's app or alternatively, click here.
Reminder to those who have signed up in previous years to please update your alert subscriptions to include your child/ren's new classrooms. This will ensure you receive the correct alerts that are relevant to you and your child/ren. Please remember to turn your notifications on for this app so you do not miss any important messages.
Some of our children have been sharing their culture with their classes, telling their friends about new clothes, new toys, special food and family events that they have celebrated. Some have also received special red envelopes.
Happy New Year
Xīnnián kuàilè
