I trust that those of you who were able to attend the 35th Annual Presentation of Awards in Darling Harbour this week were as impressed with the venue and the event as I was. It was a wonderful celebration of the year, but more importantly, of student and staff achievement and endeavour. I appreciate everyone’s understanding as to the reasons why we needed to change venues, but in hindsight it was a good decision as it allowed us to showcase our School in spectacular fashion.
This year we have rigorously pursued a fresh and exciting agenda in the interests of our students and toward achieving our Vision of ‘Extraordinary Education: a place of inspiration and innovation’. We achieved a great deal in a wide range of areas and these will be reported on in full in the new year and in the 2017 Annual Report. However, the following summary reports back to you in respect to the things I communicated to you last year time as priorities.
In 2017 we:
- listened, discussed, learned and planned
- maintained high levels of resourcing in each of the School’s three key student learning programs – Academic, Student Wellbeing and Co-curricular, and continued our significant investment in the learning of our staff
- undertook $1.5m in capital works to enhance the campus as a unique learning environment, including: upgrades in the Kindergarten and Year 1 Buildings, Mathematics, English, Science and Drama facilities, the creation of a Centre for Innovation and Creativity in the Junior School, the installation of campus signage and spectator seating at the pavilion. In addition to these the Parents and Friends Association generously agreed to fund seating at the netball courts and in the Blue Box Theatre, noticeboards for the Year 6 Centre and contributed to a sculpture in memory of Rob Phipps which ex-student Angela Davis has been developing along with our Year 10 Visual Arts students.
- provided additional and focused leadership in K to 6 through the appointment of the Head of Junior School, Mr Mark Yeowell which has enhanced this section of the School in many ways.
- provided additional resources in both Music and Drama – the latter through the introduction of specialist Drama lessons across ECEC to Year 6 which has been received extremely well by students and parents.
- launched our new website
- conducted or commenced a number of reviews, including Sport, the Technology Curriculum Pre K to 12, Language Offerings (initially in K to 6), International Education, Information, Communications & Technology, Community Learning, interdisciplinary learning opportunities and we introduced annual strategic plans in each department.
- implemented, with great success, our expanded ECEC program as a 79 place Centre
- insourced grounds and garden maintenance to ensure the environment in which our learning occurs is exceptional
- developed our Master Plan and established campus development priorities
We look forward to 2018 as Hills Grammar continues its partnership with parents and students to achieve personal success and Strive for Excellence in all areas of learning.
Michael Smith | Principal
Twitter: @Principal_Hills
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