Welcome to 2021 and, in particular to all new families and their children as they commence their Hills Grammar journey. 110 new students have joined 825 continuing students (K to 12), along with our smallest Hills ‘Originals’ in the ECEC.
As we commence the new school year:
I extend my respect to the traditional owners of the land upon which we meet and those since settlement who have lived and worked upon it. I also acknowledge and pay respect to ‘Hills Grammarians’, past, present and future, to our founder, our professional forbears, our courageous foundation families and Principals’ past – all of whom were pioneers for the cause that is our School. They all had a Vision to create a school of excellence in the Hills district and that School, 39 years later, is Hills Grammar.
Having survived the challenges in 2020, we remain cautious and alert to the risks that still exist in respect to Covid-19. It is so important that we do not become complacent, and instead continue to care for ourselves and each other. I feel confident that this is the Hills Grammar way. We have commenced this year with great optimism, and it has been wonderful to see students resume their learning, with focus and commitment.
Hills Grammar is a vibrant community – linked by common values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence), passionate about education and committed to the education of the children and young people. In my view one of the most important decisions, we make as parents is the choice of a school for our children. Hills Grammar aims to provide its students with an extraordinary education, resulting in their flourishing to become extraordinary individuals, whilst at school and after graduation. I trust that your decision to send your children to Hills Grammar will be validated many times over as the partnership between home and school flourishes.
This first newsletter of the year captures the learning opportunities that have already occurred this year. I commend this, and future newsletters to you, as spending time with the content enables you to glean what a special and extraordinary place Hills Grammar is. To quote a Foundation Student who recently contacted the School 'there is something in that place that allows learning to happen – it’s special'.
The journey goes quickly and should therefore be cherished and embraced. I know that the students at the School could not be in better hands than with our dedicated and hardworking staff who will work alongside them until such time as they can walk independently the many pathway(s) they will discover along the way. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunity their parents / carers, in partnership with the School, give them.
I trust 2021 will be filled with joy and learning and that the foundations we build together will be strong, sustained and built upon. We look forward to 2021 and to seeing what it will add to our already fascinating story, but most importantly we look forward to seeing our students grow, flourish and take their place as major characters within our Hills Grammar narrative, as ‘Hills Originals’.
Michael Smith | Principal
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