An established Montessori education in the Adelaide Hills SCHOOL PRINCIPLES CONTENTS An independent Preschool, Primary and Middle School, HIGHLIGHTS OF 2017 2 The Hills Montessori School is a non-profit, parent/staff PRINCIPAL’S REPORT 4 run entity. Our objectives are to establish, develop and maintain a school, based on the philosophy and educational PRESIDENT’S REPORT 6 methods of Dr Maria Montessori. The school encourages the SCHOOL BOARD 7 development of every child to achieve his or her potential by working cooperatively with parents and providing programs ENROLMENTS 8 which cater for individual needs. INFANT PROGRAM 9 OUR SCHOOL TODAY CYCLE 1 PRESCHOOL 10 The Hills Montessori School operates from modern facilities CYCLE 1 PRIMARY 12 in scenic bushland in the Adelaide Hills. We offer an Infant Program which provides a social and learning environment CYCLE 2 14 for parents and their 0-3 year old children. We educate CYCLE 3 16 approximately 240 students aged from 0-16 in an Infant Program, Preschool, Primary and Middle School. In 2011 CYCLE 4 & SENIOR STUDENTS 18 we opened South Australia’s first Montessori Middle School YEAR 6 GRADUATES 20 which caters for students in Years 7-10. YEAR 9 & 10 GRADUATES 21 HISTORY MATHEMATICS 22 The Preschool opened in Nairne in 1978 and a Cycle 1 primary class began in 1981. In 1985 we opened a preschool ENGLISH LANGUAGE 23 and Cycle 1 primary campus in a former church hall in CULTURAL CURRICULUM 23 Aldgate. NAPLAN 24 In 1989 we relocated to Anderson Road, Aldgate, which was made possible through a grant from the Commonwealth SPECIALISTS REPORTS 26 Government and the financial support of parents. In the second half of 1990 an additional Preschool classroom was Learning Support, Physical Education 26 added and another two primary classrooms were completed Indonesian 27 in early 1991. Our Science & Technology Centre opened in 1994; the Cycle 3 classroom block was ready for 1997; Music, Resource Centre 28 and a library/resource centre opened in 1998. The hall and Student Wellbeing, Gardening, OSHC 29 administration centre, made possible through various grants and school funds, were completed in 2010. In 2014 as part Staff Profiles 30 th of our 35 Birthday celebrations we officially named the COMMITTEES 31 Anderson Road campus Yultiwirra. Facilities, Finance 31 The Adolescent Program commenced in 2011 on a separate campus at Wairoa in Stirling. Marketing , Policy, Staffing 32 WH&S, Fundraising 33 STAFFING 34 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 35 • To offer a Montessori education that guides students ADMINISTRATION 36 in developing their independence, self-assurance, inner GOVERNANCE & STAFF 37 discipline and love of learning by providing them with a respectful, enriching and challenging environment. • To inspire and enable students to contribute positively and ethically to society. SCHOOL EVENTS ACSI Cycle 4 students won two of the four sections of the Australians Can Speak Indonesian free-themed national Indonesian BOOK WEEK During Book Week, five different installations film competition. were set up around Yultiwirra depicting scenes or characters from GAMES DAY was a great success with students from Cycles 2, 3 a variety of books. The children hunted around the school to guess and 4 joining to make up six different groups. The groups faced six which books were represented. Lisa Goodwin initiated this and class different challenges that required students to work together. parent reps helped organise and create the scenes. The displays were delightful and a wonderful way to celebrate the magic of books and DANCE Parents enjoyed a Dance Showcase where Yultiwirra reading! classes presented the dances they had learnt and worked on in Lauren’s dance classes in Term 1. GRANDPARENTS’/SPECIAL PERSONS’ DAY This special day was held in Term 3 over two days for Yultiwirra students. More CYCLE 2 CAMP Cycle 2 students visited Woodhouse Activity than 200 guests visited the school across the two days. The visitors Centre for their annual overnight camp. The students took part were entertained by students before enjoying morning tea in the in a range of activities including orienteering, water testing, craft hall. Visitors were also able to spend some time in classrooms. activities and frisnet golf, as well as team building sessions. TWILIGHT CULTURAL FESTIVAL The Adolescent Program SCIENCE WEEK During Science Week, SciWorld visited with held an inaugural twilight Cultural Festival for parents, friends and Cycle 3 students enjoying a workshop which focused on energy staff. Students shared work and learning across several cultural and forces. In the afternoon, SciWorld held a Science Spectacular studies learning areas including humanities, science, occupations, Show for the Yultiwirra students, with many fascinating and exciting Bahasa Indonesian and creative and physical expression. Individual demonstrations. Science stations were set up during Science Week research projects were presented and delicious snacks and drinks and multi-aged groups of Yultiwirra students spent a morning visiting were also available from the ‘street stall’ student food team. each station to experience a variety of science experiments. INDONESIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY was celebrated INDIGENOUS STUDIES Cycle 1 Primary students enjoyed with Yultiwirra students encouraged to wear red and white. Some a session with guest speaker Allan Edwards, a Peramangk students helped parents cook rice dishes. An assembly was held representative. He shared his knowledge of indigenous culture and where students sang the Indonesian national anthem, some Cycle 3 the importance of reconciliation. Cycle 1 classes also visited the SA students spoke about the history and significance of Independence Museum to support their learning on indigenous studies. Day, and students tasted the rice dishes. GEOLOGY Cycle 3 students worked on a geology unit with a WELLBEING FESTIVAL The Adolescent Program held an visiting geologist once a week as part of the STEM Professionals in inaugural Wellbeing Festival at Wairoa early in Term 4 and invited the Schools program funded by the Australian Government and CSIRO. adolescent students from Southern Montessori to join them. The SILENT FILMS Supported by film-maker Stuart Allchurch, a purpose of the event was to bring wellbeing to the front of students’ group of Wairoa students completed two wonderful three minute minds. The aim was to raise awareness of the different services silent films, Sally and Sock and He Hit a Birdie, an Eagle and a Koala. available to support wellbeing and to learn strategies that foster Both films were finalists and screened at the Capri Cinema as part positive wellbeing. A fantastic range of guest speakers was offered of the International Youth Silent Film Festival. across the day, in five timeslots, with many options to choose from. SLUM SURVIVOR The students at Wairoa campus took part in a EDUCATION PROGRAM AND OUR STUDENTS 30-hour experiential learning challenge called Slum Survivor as part of their humanities studies. They explored how people meet their fundamental human needs, and unpacked issues around economy, KAURNA PLAINS SCHOOL As part of NAIDOC week inequality and ethical behaviour. celebrations the Cycle 3 classes visited Kaurna Plains School to make connections with like-aged peers while gaining a more CHICKS! Cycle 1 Preschool students enjoyed watching and authentic understanding of reconciliation and its purpose. observing chickens hatch from eggs. PHOTOS L-R: Daniella at Book Week; Oscar with his grandparents; Wairoa students during Slum Survivor; Harry & Pearl at Games Day 2 | HIGHLIGHT’S OF 2017 PARENTS FACILITIES WALK A MILE IN MY BOOTS Through a parent initiative, BIKE SHELTERS were erected at both campuses as a result of a The Hills Montessori School had a team in the Hutt Street annual successful grant from the State Government through the Way to Go fundraiser to help raise funds for the Hutt Street Centre. program. SCREENAGERS Parents were invited to join the staff to view the MASTER PLAN The school was successful in securing a BGA film;Screenagers , an award-winning documentary on how tech time capital works grant to review our Master Plan and design a Master impacts on young people. A school document on Screentime was Plan for Wairoa. The completed plans were launched to the school produced by staff and launched on the evening. community. GARAGE SALE The school held a huge garage sale, in conjunction OUTDOOR LEARNING An outdoor learning area at the back of with The Garage Sale Trail – Australia’s biggest reuse event. Thanks the Cycle 1 classrooms was constructed in the latter part of the year. to Georgia Richmond (parent) and the Fundraising Committee, class Both Cycle 1 Primary classrooms were refurbished with new flooring, parent reps, staff and parent volunteers who gave their time leading paint and furniture. This work was made possible by a BGA capital up to the event and on the day. works grant in addition to money from our building fund generously donated by school families. PRODUCE SWAPS The weekly community produce swaps were introduced in 2017 as a new parent initiative at Yultiwirra. Families PAINTING Prior to the school year, both Cycle 3 classrooms and were encouraged to bring any edible excess along, whether fruit, the Infant Program classroom were painted. veggies, nuts, seedlings or seeds and swap with others. Thanks to RETAINING WALL A new retaining wall was installed by the Janene Thompson (parent) for managing this initiative. tennis courts along with landscaping of rocks and plants to beautify PAGEANT Amy Sierp (parent) and her team of enthusiastic parent the area. Sincere gratitude and recognition goes to Cheryl Shigrov helpers expertly designed and helped create our school float Little (parent) who kindly donated the funds for this work. Red Riding Hood for the Stirling Christmas Pageant. STAFF DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION Assistant Principal Susan Harris Evans presented the foundation STRATEGIC PLAN The new Strategic Plan 2017-2021 was principles of Montessori education and how they guide the launched at the end of Term 1.