School Newsletter
Number 7
Scroll through for all important Term 3 dates. Events can also be viewed and added to your personal calendar via the Events tab in the Audiri app. Please contact Reception if you need assistance.
Important Dates
From our Principal
It was a pleasure to have Jascha Boyce join us at our Foundation event, where she reflected on her experience at The Hills Montessori School and how it helped shape the confidence and tenacity that led her to found two multi-award-winning arts companies, Gravity and Other Myths and Pulsing Heart.
Jascha credits her success to the independence, autonomy, respectful relationships and freedom to be herself that she experienced at our school. As she shared, "The love of learning that is nurtured at The Hills Montessori School made me a devoted learner... my career has relied upon my autonomy in self-directed education."
She also reflected on the lasting impact of being respected as a young person:
"The respect I was shown by the staff at HMS... gave me strength and agency."
"You definitely need a certain level of, perhaps ill advised, confidence deciding, straight out of school, to start a circus company! One of the feelings I remember most clearly about my time at the Hills Montessori School was the enduring acceptance and enthusiasm for doing things differently and forging your own path in this world."
We are delighted that Jascha has now returned to our school community as a parent in our Infant Community. Alongside a growing number of Old Scholars returning as parents, her story speaks to the lasting impact of a Montessori education and the strength of the connections formed here.
The Foundation event was a wonderful evening of connection and celebration. As Jascha commented afterwards, "It was such a pleasure to be surrounded by so many familiar faces."
If you would like to engage with our School Foundation or connect with Old Scholars, please see the links below.
Susan Harris-Evans
Acting Principal
An Update From the Board
At the June Board meeting held on the 16th June the Board accepted nominations for the Board Executive positions. We are pleased to welcome Brad Symes as the new Board President, Marnie Aldred as the new Vice President and Jade Crathern as the new and returning Treasurer. We very much thank the previous members for the significant contribution in their Executive roles. In particular, we acknowledge the considerable contributions from Nicki Stewart as Vice President and Jade Crathern for her impactful and significant role as Board President. We thank them sincerely for their dedication to our Montessori School and Community over many years.
Jade Cranthern
Board President
A Little Update from Ellen
OSHC Coordinator
I wanted to let our OSHC families know that I will be taking some personal leave from the 12th August and expect to be away for up to six weeks.
While I'm away, Nellie will be stepping into the role of Acting OSHC Coordinator. Many of you already know Nellie, and I know she will do a fantastic job supporting the children, families and our wonderful OSHC team during this time. I have absolutely loved getting to know all of our children and families over the past few months, and I’ll miss seeing everyone while I’m away. Thank you for your kindness, patience and ongoing support - it truly means so much. I look forward to returning and seeing you all again soon!
As part of our reporting process, three-way parent, teacher and student Roundtable Interviews will be held at Wairoa during Week 4 (next week).
An email has been sent to families with information about the Roundtable Interviews, along with step-by-step instructions for making an online booking. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss each student's achievements and areas for further growth.
Wairoa Term 2 reports were shared with families during the school holidays.
Support our school while giving yourself the chance to win! We're once again taking part in the People First Community Lottery, with 100% of every $2 ticket sold going directly to our school. Our goal is to raise $1,500 to support improvements at both Yultiwirra and Wairoa.
There are 41 prizes to be won, with a total prize pool of more than $300,000.
Get ready to celebrate Book Week - Monday 24 August! Students are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character, or wear their pyjamas and bring along their favourite book. This year's theme is 'Symphony of Stories'.
Creative Volunteers Wanted! - Help bring Book Week to life by assisting with our much-loved school installations. If you'd like to lend a hand, please contact Lisa Goodwin at lisag@montessori.sa.edu.au or email reception@montessori.sa.edu.au.
Roundtable Interviews
Wairoa
Community Lottery
Fundraising Opportunity
Work your Creative Magic!
Volunteer Opportunity
Yultiwirra
Sharing Assembly
Sharing assembly
Friday 24th July
Lunchtime
Conversations
Conversations
Conversations Conversations
Conversations for Lifelong Learning
At our school, learning is not just for students. As a Montessori community, we share a commitment to lifelong learning, recognising that parents, staff and students all play an important role in their own, ongoing, life-long educational journey.
This year, our Snippets sessions have provided opportunities for parents to engage in short, focused conversations about Montessori education and child development. Led by staff and designed to fit within busy schedules, these bite-sized information sessions offer practical insights, opportunities for discussion, and a chance to deepen understanding of your child's learning experience.
Whether introducing a new concept or revisiting a familiar one, Snippets aim to leave parents feeling informed, encouraged and connected to the Montessori approach.
Our most recent session, Supporting the Reluctant Reader, explored why some children find reading challenging, unpacked the mechanics of reading, and provided practical strategies to help parents foster confidence and a positive reading culture at home.
Through these ongoing conversations, our aim is to continue to strengthen the partnership between home and school, supporting the growth and development of the whole child.
Yultiwirra
Did you know?
Reporting
something about reporting here
Cycle News
Infant Program
Drosera Classroom • Ages 0-3
W
Infant Program
Cycle 1 Preschool
“Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.”
Montessori said —
Banksia & Goodenia Community • Ages 3-5
Children have been noticing the changes in the weather and seasons and linking their understanding to our topic of Botany. They have mentioned that “All the rain is good for the plants” and “Now we need some sunshine to help them grow.” They have loved splashing in puddles and using the water in the sandpit to make sandcastles.
It has been lovely to see the social interactions and problem-solving that have occurred outside. The children are practising listening to others’ points of view and working together as they build castles with moats, move water through pipes and create dam walls.
Other learning has taken place through cooking experiences, providing opportunities to practise fine motor skills such as peeling, grating, mixing and taking turns. The children have enjoyed making apple muffins, pancakes and orange juice, while also developing practical skills through washing dishes, wiping tables and sweeping the floor.
Recent wet weather sparked curiosity about rain, clouds and thunderstorms, leading us to explore a cloud experiment. The children were fascinated to see ‘coloured’ raindrops falling from the ‘cloud’. They also investigated how water moves through plants using coloured water, celery and carrots. River observed, “Look, it’s being absorbed by the celery!” before explaining to another child that absorb means “sucking up the colour.”
Our natural environment provides many opportunities to spark curiosity, ask questions, investigate, predict and explore, supporting children’s learning.
Cycle 1 Preschool
Cycle 1 Primary
Correa & Ixodia Classrooms • Ages 5-6
This term in Visual Arts, Cycle One have been exploring the fascinating world of portraiture through the work of renowned artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Gustav Klimt, and Frida Kahlo.
Through observation, discussion, and creative expression, students have developed their understanding of facial features, proportion, colour, pattern, emotion, and symbolism.
With a range of mediums including drawing, painting, pastels, collage, the children have discovered how portraits can communicate identity, feelings, and personal stories.
Students have been encouraged to make independent artistic choices while building fine motor skills, confidence, and self-expression. We look forward to sharing their final self-portraits, which beautifully reflect both their creativity and their growing understanding of themselves as unique individuals.
Cycle 1 Primary
“In Portraits there is a sitter and a painter”
— Bryn
“Eyes are hard to draw, the ears are easy”
— Hugo
“It doesn’t need to be perfect, just as long as you do as good as you can”
— Jeanie
“Portraits doesn’t need to be a painting”
— Clem
“Eyes are halfway down your head, then nose then mouth.”
— Lenny
“A partite is when you pain yourself or someone else”
— Leo
“You can Break the Rules and use any colours and shapes”
— Abner
“Eyes are tricky to draw, I liked drawing the mouth”
— Matilda
Cycle 2 Primary
Dianella & Acacia Classrooms • Ages 6-9
This term, students have been immersed in an exciting creative project that combined storytelling, visual arts and animation.
The project began with students designing their own unique characters. They carefully considered their character's appearance, personality, interests and special traits before bringing their ideas to paper. Students then created storyboards and comic strips, developing short narratives that showcased their characters in action.
A highlight of the project was a visit from Ciara, an animation student who shared her experiences studying animation. We discussed the meaning of the word animation, which means "to bring something to life". We also explored the word anime, the Japanese term for animation. Students were fascinated to learn about the animation process and the many creative pathways available within the industry.
Inspired by Ciara's visit, students set about transforming their two-dimensional characters into three-dimensional creations. They constructed character armatures, covered them with papier-mâché and carefully painted them, paying close attention to the details that made their characters unique.
The final stage of the project is now underway as students prepare to animate their creations. Using their storyboards as a guide, they will bring their characters to life through animation, combining creativity, problem-solving and perseverance. We look forward to sharing our finished animations with one another once they are complete.
Cycle 2 Primary
“I'm making a capybara. Ciara showed us how she made a puppet animation.”
— Miranda
“Ciara taught us the steps of making an animation, there are a lot.”
— Vivienne
“It's been fun learning how to make paper-mâché. My character meets up with other characters at the end of the story.”
— Eloise
“My character is a rock wallaby, his name is Rok.”
— Felix
“It was hard to make a base structure for my character but then it was fun. I made a rainbow lorikeet.”
— Abby
“It can take 24 frames or pictures to make one second of an animation.”
— Otto
“I liked watching Ciara's videos on animation, there was a character who said '24 carat gold'.”
— Frances
Cycle 3 Primary
Callistemon & Grevillea Classrooms • Ages 9-12
This term Cycle 3 has been doing a continent study about Australia. A big part of this study has been further developing our knowledge and appreciation of Aboriginal culture. Students have recently created their own Acknowledgement of Country, completed research on influential Aboriginal people and learnt some words in Kaurna language. We also recently went on a whole cycle excursion to The Living Kaurna Cultural Centre. The Living Kaurna Cultural Centre is a major location for First Nations celebrations in South Australia and is open to the general public as well as for education sessions with schools.
Upon arrival we were welcomed and went to the yarning circle where a Welcome to Country was performed. We then split into two groups and began our sessions! Each group worked with Auntie Janis to learn about weaving and began to weave our own small mats or baskets. This was done using local grasses. The second session was a walking tour of the beautiful Warriparinga wetlands. On the tour we learnt about caring for Country, Kaurna dreamtime stories, bushtucker and Kaurna history.
We had a wonderful time and highly recommend venturing there to explore the beautiful wetlands!
Cycle 3 Primary
“I enjoyed the excursion. The walk was fun and I liked working with the adults on the weaving.”
— Edward
“I liked learning about the bushtucker and what you can and can’t eat. There was one that was also used for medicine.”
— Mila
“It was really cool seeing what all of the statues mean. The weaving was really fun as well.”
— Lilah
“I really enjoyed the walk of the wetlands and how our guide knew about the history. I also liked how he told dreamtime stories.”
— Noah
“I really enjoyed learning about Kaurna history. Looking at the art and structures was my favourite part.”
— Zohair
“I enjoyed learning the weaving. It was easy once you got started. I want to keep working on mine.”
— Soraya
Cycle 4 Middle School
Wairoa Campus • Ages 12-15
The year 8 and 9 science group ventured out to University Senior College (USC) to get some hands-on experience with chemistry experiments. We were introduced to a well-equipped laboratory and put the theory we have been learning into practice. It was a valuable excursion and the group really enjoyed the experience.
Back on campus there has been lots of prep for our Coffeehouse Cabaret!
Cycle 4 Middle School
Specialist Teachers
PE with Attila
This term, students are developing skills for table tennis. Table tennis is a fast-paced, fun sport that can be played in many settings, from the backyard to the local club, and is a great way to build hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. We have learned how to hold the racket, the different types of shots, and how to serve correctly, and have played many games against our peers, encouraging good sportsmanship and healthy competition along the way.
Cycle 4 students are also mastering their table tennis skills and playing soccer off the back of the World Cup. With the excitement of the World Cup still fresh, students have been keen to practise their passing, dribbling, and shooting, while also developing their understanding of teamwork and game strategy on the field.
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.
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 4th August
10:00am
Meet us in the Hall @ 12 Anderson Rd, Aldgate SA
For prospective families & families interested in exploring different learning cycles
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 19th August
9:30am
400m up the driveway @ 142 Mt Barker Road, Stirling SA
For prospective families & families interested in exploring different learning cycles
Community News
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.
“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.