News

Every Drop Counts

Congratulations to Aoife Hogan (Year 6), State winner of the National Mathematics Talent Quest. Aoife’s 'quest' consisted in finding a practical solution to the problem ‘exactly how much water is left in the family’s underground water tank?’ The task required a mathematical solution, demonstrating research, posing relevant questions and maintaining a detailed log book. Aoife’s investigation will go the the National judging in South Australia in October. 

Future Neuroscientists

The team of Year 10 students Michelle Jenneke, James Pyo, Usman Ahsraf and Dean Southwood entered this year's Australian Brain Bee Challenge, which consisted in correctly answering questions related to brain structure and function. The THGS team placed third in New South Wales - an outstanding achievement. The Australian Brain Bee Challenge (ABBC) motivates young people to learn about the brain and has been created to inspire students to pursue careers in neuroscience research. It is Australia's only neuroscience competition for high school students. 

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea at THGS

On Thursday 28 May parents, teachers, students and friends of THGS gathered in the Multi Purpose Hall to enjoy a cup of coffee (or two) and beautifully decorated cupcakes made by Year 12 Hospitality students. Throughout the morning parents dropped in with plates of cakes and slices which added to the wide range of delicacies to choose from. Junior School students did not stay behind - they participated by purchasing poppers and cookies. With coffee, cakes and raffle sales plus popper and cookie orders, THGS collected a record $1,886 for the Cancer Council.

Usman Has a Way With Words 

Usman Ashraf (Year 10) is a 15 year old author who doesn't mince words. Earlier this year, Usman set out to have his collection of short stories published, and now his book Psyche has been archived in the National Library of Australia and can be purchased online. Usman says he had a lot to learn from Mr Geoff Gates (pictured with Usman) who is Head of English at THGS and a published novelist.  Please click here to see the full article in PDF format (Hills News, 19 May 2009).

The Hills Grammar Dream Team Scores Again 

The Hills Grammar U19 girls futsal team is off to compete in the NSW School Futsal Championships at Penrith in June. The girls recently won the regional championships, undefeated. It's the fourth consecutive year the team have made it thorugh to the state competition. "This is my dream team, I have coached most of this team since the girls were in Year 7 so this is it - the big goal is the state championships," said Mr James Muir, the team's coach. Please click here to see the full article in PDF format (Hills News, 12 May 2009).

Bake-off for Bushfire Victims

The nationwide response to the recent bushfire tragedy has been overwhelming. Community groups, schools and individuals have dug deep in an expression of sympathy, generosity and kindness. The senior and junior student leaders at THGS joined the nationwide effort by holding a number of fundraising initiatives including a monster cake stall. The response to the bake-off was terrific and over $2000 was made on the day with generous individual students, parents and staff adding their donations to the takings, totalling more than $7000.

Elite Mathematicians

Bringing home the shield for the third year in a row were The Hills Grammar School's top Year 8 and 9 students pictured with Mr David Price. The HICES (Heads of Independent Co-educational Schools) Annual Mathematics tournament was held at St Paul's Grammar, Cranebrook where twenty eight schools competed to accumulate good scores over the three types of contests. This team of mathematically fit students managed to clear the rest of the field by 100 points and return the trophy to Hills.

THGS was extremely well represented at the Pacific School Games which took place in Canberra in early December 2008. Jordan Shelley (Year 5), Mikaela Middleton (Year 7) and Michelle Jenneke (Year 9) brought home 11 medals between them. Jordan won the gold medal for the 100 metre track event with a time of 12.82 seconds, breaking a 24-year record. He won a second gold medal in the relay event, and a silver medal in both the 200 metre track event and long jump. Mikaela added five medals to her impressive collection: silver in the 50m freestyle, freestyle relay and medley relay events; and bronze in the 50m breaststroke and 100m breastroke swimming events. Michelle achieved a silver medal in the 90m hurdles and another silver medal in 200m hurdles.