Welcome back for Term 4 – where has the year gone?
October 10 2019 marked the 37th Anniversary of the School’s Foundation and it is beholden on us to reflect upon all that has been achieved, and continues to be achieved, in that time. For a School of our age the story is an ‘extraordinary’ one:
- a campus of 51 acres: comprised of natural, built, human and cultural environments which all enhance learning
- supportive parents: who want the very best for their children and chose Hills Grammar to work in partnership with them
- wonderful students: who love learning and increasingly expect more of themselves and take responsibility for their learning
- alumni: who have pursued diverse pathways and are willing to return to the school to share their stories with current students
- a workplace for our wonderful staff that is inspiring, professionally and personally respectful and supportive
It is this environment that our founders envisaged in 1982, it is this environment that in 2019 allows us to do what we do, and do it well. So much achieved in such a short time and so much to celebrate and be thankful for.
What is more exciting however is that we do not, as a School or as individuals within it, rest on our laurels and instead continuously look to be the best we can be. Therefore, while it is right and proper to reflect upon and celebrate our past – we must not do this at the expense of focusing on the quality of our present, or looking and working toward an extraordinary future.
In visiting the sessions of staff professional development on Monday this week I sensed and witnessed a real commitment to learning and a passionate desire to think deeply about what we do and why we do it? As teachers, we are privileged to be able to share our passion and love of learning with our students. The forward and future focus of the sessions on Monday reminds us that our work is a long game, not a short one. I encourage everyone (staff, students and parents) not to lose sight of this perspective, as it sustains us and links our work with the noblest of purposes, the education and growth of the children and young people in our care.
I am further delighted when we hear from our guest presenters about best practice learning and pedagogy which aligns with the journey that the School commenced a number of years – future-focused, the 6 C’s, academic rigour, holistic, deep thinking and reminders that we are preparing students for life, not just tests, or the workplace. The experts validate the direction and pathway we are on as a School and we are well down the track. I am very confident that Hills Grammar does learning and teaching (as we define it) very well and I constantly receive validation of this from parents, students, visitors to the school, employers and via interaction and listening to our alumni who reflect the graduate aim and desired outcome of a Hills Grammar education.
As recently expressed by one current parent:
I am so thankful that due to our decision of sending our daughter to Hills Grammar that she is thriving, not only academically but as a confident and humble young lady amongst her many peers. She recently expressed that she is sad that next year is HSC which means an end to her senior school years - a real credit to her cohort and the school as a whole. Our son is also finding his own individual feet and learning to grow from within himself. I cannot ask for more than that. Regardless of ATAR, they will become great, well-rounded adults. I am thrilled with the whole experience both my children are having at Hills Grammar. This School is great and offers such opportunities for individual growth.
Thank you, everyone (teachers, parents and support staff) for playing your part in this journey so very well and may I encourage everyone never to let their sights drop, nor importantly to allow our high aspirations and expectations for our students fall.
Have a wonderful Term 4 – busy always, but satisfying!
Michael Smith | Principal
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