Kia ora koutou

Staff and students are enjoying reconnecting to start a short but busy term of learning.  On Monday we had a mihi whakatau to welcome our new students and their whānau to our school.

The overarching theme for learning for this year is exploring our school vision Kia puāwai te ngākau - Growing Creative Learning from within.  In term 2 the Curriculum Focus is the Social Sciences.

There are many exciting learning experiences planned both in and out of the classroom.  Choir and Orchestra begin over the next couple of weeks.  Winter sports codes are now underway for the season.

On Tuesday we farewelled our long serving caretaker Mr Nigel Cavanah.  As a final and special goodbye, Nigel drove around the school and was greeted with waves and cheers from all of our students and staff outside their classes.  We wish him a happy and well deserved retirement.

Please note that school will be closed for instruction on Friday 30th May when all staff from schools in our area will be participating in professional learning.  On the last day of the term Friday 20th June school will closed for Parent Teacher Conversations.

Please check the school calendar for events and dates for the coming term.

Noho ora mai

Marie Bramley

Principal

On the first day of term we had a mihi whakatau to welcome all our new students and whānau to Hillcrest Normal School.  We had a wonderful group of New Entrants starting as well as some older students.  Our group of karanga students did a beautiful job of calling in our manuhiri (visitors).  Mr Mason and Mrs Bramley spoke to welcome everyone and we supported them with waiata (song).  It was a special time to share together. Nau mai haere mai, welcome to our school.

We are thrilled to announce the return of the Hillcrest Normal School Orchestra. We're really looking forward to another year filled with wonderful music, guided by our fantastic conductors, Tony Wu, Marjorie Hsu, and our Principal, Marie Bramley. Together, they've got a great mix of classical and modern pieces lined up that we think will both inspire and challenge our young musicians.

Calling all instrumentalists!

• When: Friday, Week 1 of Term 2, at 9:00 AM (tomorrow)
• Where: School Hall
• Preparation: Each student keen to be involved needs to prepare a short piece – anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes – that shows off what they can do on their instrument. 

Being part of the orchestra is a fantastic chance for students who already have some experience playing their instruments to really grow as musicians. They'll get to work together on some amazing and rewarding music, learn about teamwork, and be part of something really special within our school.

We can't wait to see and hear all the talent we have at the auditions. Let's make this year's orchestra a truly memorable musical adventure.

See you there.

If any of your contact details have changed, please adivse our school office to ensure we have the correct information, including home address, email and phone contacts.  It is important we have up to date information on our records.

Flyers from Photolife will be sent home this week with an individual access code for you to order your child/ren's class and individual photos taken last term.  If you do not receive one, please contact the office as soon as possible.  Photos need to be ordered before midnight Sunday, 11 May for free delivery to school, otherwise you can have them delivered to your home however, you will be charged an extra fee.

On Anzac Day, 25th April, we walked to Memorial Park for one of the Anzac Day services. We carried a beautiful wreath in our school colours and joined the other schools with their wreaths. It was very special and we were able to wear our family’s medals from our grandparents and great grandparents who fought in the wars.

There was a marching band, soldiers, cadets and a lot of people, all there to remember the soldiers who fought and died in the wars. The Mayor, Paula Southgate spoke about her experience overseas last year for Anzac Day and how moving it was to stand in the field where the soldiers fell. 18,000 soldiers died in the First World War. We had a minute silence to remember them and all the other soldiers who fought for us. We listened to a bugle play The Last Post.

After many wreaths were laid, it was the school's turn. When they called out Hillcrest Normal we took our wreath and placed it carefully on the cenotaph steps.

At the end we sang the Australian and New Zealand National Anthem and then 4 Beechcraft T-6C Texan ll aeroplanes flew over with white smoke.

It was great to see so many people and students there honoring the soldiers. Lest we forget.

By Emma and Bella

We currently have two vacanies available to join the HNS team. If you are interested please refer to our advertisements on Seek.co.nz to apply. 

• Caretaker position  
• Learning Assistant 

Start new in term two!

Recorder, flute, clarinet, sax and music theory lessons available after school on Wednesdays in Hillcrest Normal School library.

Enquiries to Catherine Wallace cwallace@orcon.net.nz

READ EVERY DAY! READ MORE IN MAY! 

May is National Family Reading Month, and it's all about what we believe in most: helping kids build a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.  By reading together for just 10 minutes a day, they'll build powerful reading habits for life. 

If you ordered from Issue 2 and received a $5 promo code, don't forget to use it on this issue.  You can also receive a $5 promo code when you place any LOOP order from Issue 3, which can be used on Issue 4.  

Follow this link to place your orders.  This issue closes on Friday 9 May.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Julia French in the office

What motivates you or stops you being active? Tell us and be in to WIN 1 of 5 $100 grocery gift cards! 

Sport Waikato is running a survey aimed at finding out about how active we are – or aren’t! They need to hear from everyone aged 18+ or those who have left school, whether you spend your days running marathons or chilling on the couch.

The information you provide will help build a picture of our region and help Sport Waikato and their partners (like us) to ensure play, active recreation and sport is more accessible, exciting and inclusive! 

 Take the 5 minute short survey and be in to WIN https://shorturl.at/wzDYQ

• The survey and prize draw is open to residents of the Waikato region – from Thames-Coromandel to Taupo and everywhere in between
• The survey is completely anonymous – any contact details will only be used for the purposes of the prize draw 
• Prizes will be drawn every month, from February-December throughout 2025. Winners can choose vouchers from their local grocery store/supermarket.