School Newsletter
Number 4
Wednesday 13th May 2026
From our Principal
It was wonderful to see an amazing turn out at the Wairoa café last Friday with parents and friends coming together from both the Yultiwirra and Wairoa parent body to support our young people and enjoy all that was on offer, along with the beautiful sunshine.
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Susan Harris-Evans
Vice Principal
Conversations
Conversations
Conversations Conversations
Exploring Montessori, Experiencing Values
At our Open Days, families experience the school not just through tours, but through layered, meaningful conversations. The first conversations with our Principal and leadership team provide insight into Montessori philosophy — the ways we respect each child, nurture the development of the whole child, encourage independence, and foster a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom.
From there, families engage with parent and staff guides, teachers, and students, hearing lived experiences that bring the values of the school to life. These smaller, informal conversations give visitors the opportunity to ask questions, gain reassurance, and connect personally with our community. By the time families leave, they have not only learned about Montessori education but have begun to feel part of a welcoming, values-driven community where relationships and learning are at the heart of everything we do.
Wairoa Twilight Market
Wairoa Twilight Market
Board Communique
At our March Board meeting the Board approved the nomination of a Life Membership for Susan Harris Evans, Anthea Hagar and Meg Barker. We also held a session on good governance regarding succession planning for both leadership and Board. Adam, the Chair of Infrastructure & Planning committee presented the priorities for the 2026 infrastructure needs for the Board’s consideration.
Jade Cranthern
Board President
Community Breakfast
Wairoa Twilight Market
Become a Foundation Member
We invite our community to become part of The Hills Montessori School Foundation (HMSF) and support the ongoing strength and future of our school. The Foundation plays a key role in building financial sustainability for future students, while also creating opportunities for past and present families, staff and students to stay connected through shared experiences and events.
We warmly encourage all members of our community to consider becoming a member and maintaining a lifelong connection with our school. Apply for Membership here with a one-off fee of $150.
Make a tax deductible donation!
You may also choose to make a tax-deductible donation, either as a one-off or ongoing contribution. Every contribution, large or small, helps support opportunities for our students now and into the future.
To find out more, become a member or donate, visit: https://www.montessori.sa.edu.au/foundation/
Community Support Register
In our School we have a structure to provide practical help to families within our school community who require support or assistance in times of need &/or families who may be experiencing a crisis.
Community support may take the form of providing meals for a family, helping with pick-ups and drop-offs of children, child minding, shopping etc.
Everyone from time to time goes through difficult periods in life whether it is caused by illness, accidents and injury or the death of a loved one – we are all faced with challenges and moments that are hard. When we are faced with a family crisis, knowing that we have the support of our community and there are people who are willing and able to help with some of the day to day routines and duties can really ease the burden.
Our school community can be wonderful at rallying around and offering small gestures of kindness to let families or individuals in crisis know that we care and we are here to support if needed.
You can fill out the Community Support Form below if there are any ways your family may be able to support - if and when needed. We are grateful for any support that people are prepared to offer and will ‘keep a register’ of support in the event that assistance is required.
If your family experiences challenging times or faces a crisis please don’t hesitate to contact either your class teacher or Cathy so we can provide some support. Specific family situations will always be treated in a confidential, respectful and discrete manner and will not be disclosed to the community when seeking support.
Tax Deductions
As we get closer to the end of the financial year we remind parents that you could take advantage of a tax deduction through making a donation to our School Building Fund. Many families already donate and have nominated to do this when paying their tuition fees. Your donations can make a very real difference for our students and we are extremely grateful for the donations we receive each year from families. You can support through donations to the School Building Fund. This fund is used to help cover the costs of new buildings, renovations and improvements to existing structures and you have until the 30th June for a tax deduction for this financial year.
Online Building Fund donations should be submitted by no later than the end of Monday, 22nd June to ensure processing by the 30th June; or please contact the School after the 22nd for the processing of credit card and direct debit transactions on or before the 30th June for tax offsets in the 2025-26 financial year.
Cycle News
Infant Program
Drosera Classroom • Ages 0-3
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Infant Program
Cycle 1 Preschool
Montessori said -
"Through the Montessori curriculum we teach an appreciation for diversity and respect for all cultures. People fear that which they do not understand. In the Montessori classroom, we seek to understand".
Banksia & Goodenia Community • Ages 3-5
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Cycle 1 Preschool
Cycle 1 Primary
Correa & Ixodia Classrooms • Ages 5-6
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Cycle 1 Primary
Cycle 2 Primary
Dianella & Acacia Classrooms • Ages 6-9
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Cycle 2 Primary
“Sometimes rocks go into another rock.”
— Elara“Fossils help us learn about dinosaur life.”
— Gracie-Mae“Some fossils are dinosaur poop. It is called coprolite.”
— Pippa “People can find dinosaur fossils. Fossils tell us what dinosaurs were like when they were alive.”
— Lachie“There is a type of dinosuar that couldn't fly but had feathers to glide and leap.”
— Hadley“Gingko trees were alive when the dinosaurs were on Earth.”
— Elara“People used rocks as tools in the Stone Age.”
— Raff “Some rocks have crystals in them.”
— Elsie S“Some rocks have crystals inside like a geode.”
— Tui“Rocks have been used for millions of years.”
— Jasper 
Cycle 3 Primary
Callistemon & Grevillea Classrooms • Ages 9-12
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Cycle 3 Primary
Cycle 4 Middle School
Wairoa Campus • Ages 12-15
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Cycle 4 Middle School
Specialist Teachers
Indonesian with Ellis
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Upcoming Events
Save the Date
Snippets
Monday 11th May 9:15am
Wairoa Cafe
Friday 15th May 8:30am
Sharing Assembly PS, C1 & C2
Wednesday 20th May 11:15am
Snippets
Monday 25th May 9:15am
Reconciliation Week Assembly
Friday 29th May 10:00am
Yultiwirra Open Day
Tuesday 2nd June 10:00am
Parent Discussion Group
Thursday 4th June 9:15am
Cycle 1 & 2 Music Concert
Thursday 4th June 6:00pm
Sharing Assembly C3 & C4
Friday 5th June 9:30am
Middle School
Wairoa Cafe
Join us at Wairoa for outstanding coffee and a menu of fabulous food made, and served, by the Cycle 4 students.
400m up the driveway @ our Wairoa Campus.
Crafter & Young will also have a range of hand made crafts on sale.
See you there!
8:30am
Friday 15th May
400m up the driveway @ 142 Mt Barker Road, Stirling SA
For All Parents, Siblings and School Community Members
Primary School
Sharing Assembly
We warmly invite parents and caregivers to attend our upcoming Sharing Assembly at the Yultiwirra campus, where students will have the opportunity to present and celebrate their learning with the wider school community.
We look forward to you joining us for this special occasion.
11:15am
Wednesday 20th May
Yultiwirra Campus - Join us in the Hall
Parents of Preschoolers, Cycle 1 & Cycle 3
Open Days
Please share our upcoming Open Day dates with friends and others who may be interested, across both our Yultiwirra campus (Infant Program, Preschool and Primary) and our Wairoa campus (Middle School, Years 7–9).
Word of mouth from current families is one of the most valuable ways people discover our school. We thank you for helping spread the word.
If you would like to further explore the different learning cycles at our school, you are also warmly invited to attend one of our Open Days via the link provided.
Middle School
Wairoa Open Day
Take part in a group Principal’s tour of our Middle School (Years 7–9), gain insight into the Adolescent Program philosophy and curriculum, and hear directly from current student guides about life at the campus.
Wednesday 6th May
9:30am
400m up the driveway @ 142 Mt Barker Road, Stirling SA
For prospective families & families interested in exploring different learning cycles
Primary School
Yultiwirra Open Day
Join a guided group tour led by staff and parent guides, with opportunities to speak with the Principal and teachers, observe Montessori in action, and gain insight into the Infant Program, Preschool and Primary years.
Tuesday 2nd June
10:00am
Meet us in the Hall @ 12 Anderson Rd, Aldgate SA
For prospective families & families interested in exploring different learning cycles
Community News
School Hats
School hats have now been restocked and are available for purchase from the Front Office for $20 each. Please ensure your child has a hat for outdoor play as we continue to support our Sun Smart practices.
Available in the office $20 each
Stay Connected
Following us on social media is a great way to keep up with our school community events, activities and Montessori insights — and to share our stories with grandparents and friends.
Diary Dates - Term 2 2026
Thursday 14 May
I&PC Meeting
8:00am
Community Connection Committee
2:30pm
Yultiwirra
Friday 15 May
Wairoa Cafe
9:00am - 11:00am
Wairoa
Tuesday 19 May
Board Meeting
7:00pm
Yultiwirra
Wednesday 20 May
Sharing Assembly PS, C1 & C2
11:15am
Policy Meeting
4:00pm
Yultiwirra
Monday 25 May
Snippets
9:15am
Yultiwirra
Tuesday 26 May
National Sorry Day
AGM
6:00pm
Yultiwirra
Wednesday 27 May
Reconciliation Week begins - 1967 Referendum
Life Education
Thursday 28 May
Life Education
Foundation AGM
6:00pm
Foundation Board Meeting
6:30pm
Friday 29 May
Reconciliation Week Assembly
10:00am
Yultiwirra
Tuesday 2 June
Yultiwirra Open Day
10:00am
Marketing Meeting
3:00pm
Yultiwirra
Thursday 4 June
Parent Discussion Group
9:15am
Cycle 1 & 2 Music Concert
6:00pm
Yultiwirra
Wednesday 10 June
Cultural Committee
4:00pm
Yultiwirra
Thursday 11 June
I&PC Meeting
8:00am
Wairoa
Wellbeing Committee
4:00pm
Yultiwirra
HMS Foundation Members Event
6:00pm
Friday 12 June
Sharing Assembly C3 & C4
9:30am
Yultiwirra
Monday 15 June
Snippets
9:15am
Yultiwirra
Tuesday 16 June
Board Meeting
7:00pm
Yultiwirra
Wednesday 17 June
Yultiwirra Coffee Morning
Yultiwirra
Thursday 18 June
Community Connection Meeting
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Wairoa
Tuesday 23 June - Thursday 25 June
AP Coffeehouse Cabaret
Wairoa
Friday 26th June
Term 2 Ends
“Our care for the children should be governed not by the desire to ‘make them learn things’, but by the endeavour always to keep burning within them the light which is called intelligence.