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Distance Learning

2021

2021 Distance Learning Plan | Click Here

Click here to read From the Principal | Essential Updates | 30 July 2021

We are delighted by the increased return to campus of our Junior School students.  They are all enjoying being back together and learning in person with their teachers.

To optimise the learning outcomes for our students, from Monday 8 November, the timetable will return to our day to day on campus model.

We will continue to minimise the movement of students around the campus, with specialist lessons remaining in each classroom rather than students moving to a common space. This practice will be reviewed as updated advice is issued from NSWHealth.

For those families choosing to remain at home

·         Kindergarten – Year 2 | a weekly distance learning overview, containing links and activities for the children to undertake across the week, will be shared on a Monday.

·         Years 3 – 6 | weekly activities will be posted to OneNote.

·         LAND | accessibility will be dependent on the timetable for the day and will be advised direct to families by individual teachers.

·         LAUNCH | will no longer be accessible via Microsoft Teams at the end of the day.

If you have any questions, please contact us via return email.

We would like to thank all families for their support.

The time has come to iron the school uniforms, polish the shoes and make sure the lunches are ready. We have been busy here at School making sure the campus is ready for the return of our students from Monday.

End of Day pick up arrangements | A reminder of the arrangements for pickup each day can be found below.

Carpark | Gates 1, 2 and 3 | NB these are slightly varied from Term 2. To minimise congestion, please DO NOT arrive before your pick-up time.

  • ALL Years K – 2 | Gate 2 | Kindergarten at 2.40pm | Year 1 at 2.50pm I Year 2 at 3pm
  • Years 3 – 6 | Gate 1 | from 3.10pm
  • Years 7 – 12 | Gate 3 | from 3.20pm

Siblings in Junior School are welcome to depart with their youngest counterpart at each family’s discretion.  Please notify the older children’s teachers.  Otherwise, families will need to pick up from both Gates.  Senior School students will remain in class until 3.20pm.

Public Buses | Fully operational, students over 12 years must wear a mask.

Hills Grammar Buses | Operational from Monday 25 October.  Please ensure you tap on and off and students over 12 years must wear a mask.

Visitors on Campus | A reminder, to comply with the Public Health Order, no parents and visitors are allowed on School grounds. Should you need to contact your child’s teacher please do so via phone or email and arrange an online meeting should one be required.

Masks | The wearing of masks differs while on school grounds to those regulations while in the general public. All students Year 7 – Year 12 are to wear masks at School. Staff will also be wearing masks as per the Public Health Orders. Should your child not be able to wear a mask for medical reasons please remember to email the school clinic for our records.


Student return | It is exciting that students are returning to campus. Every effort will be made to keep students at the appropriate social distancing guidelines. Staff have been made aware that this is a priority when students are waiting for buses or being picked up at the end of the day. I ask for your patience as staff manage this and can assure you that the message will be delivered to the students upon their return on Monday. In keeping with the strong partnership that exists between families and the School I ask that you also keep these reminders going at home, so students are hearing a consistent message.

  • Senior School | Click here for return to Campus plans
  • Junior School | Click here for return to Campus plans

For those students who are not returning just yet access to your learning content will be made available.

HG Cafe reminder | A reminder that the HG Cafe will only accept online orders for Junior School students and strongly encourages Senior School students to also pre-purchase online.

School readiness | As mentioned in my previous communication the School has undertaken an audit of the ventilation for the classrooms and office spaces. The results of this report were very pleasing with minimal areas requiring additional measures. Good ventilation combined with classrooms rooms being appropriately set up, encouragement of social distancing and a great deal of cooperation has Hills Grammar well prepared for the return of students for the remainder of Term 4. Students and staff will be reminded regularly about appropriate hygiene measures as well as mask wearing for those for whom it is compulsory to again provide that extra layer of protection.

Bulletin reminders | Click here to access this week’s Bulletin information.

  • ECEC | What's On in the ECEC.
  • Welcome to our 2022 School Leaders | Video message
  • Year 10 | Yearly Examinations (Week 5)
  • Thriving in Year 12 | Powerpoint, booklet and video.
  • PAFA Tea Towel Fundraiser | Kindergarten and Year 6
  • Book Fair | Organise your Christmas shopping at our online Book Fair
  • Futures and Enterprise | Employment, Study Information and University Open Days.
  • Parent Learning Program | 'The Mindfulness Series by Jodie Gien' and 'The Wellness Series' by Kathryn Taylor.
  • SchoolTV | SPECIAL REPORT: Managing Overwhelm

I would like to thank the whole School community for your support during our Distance Learning program in Term 3 and the early parts of this term. We are all excited to be back on campus next week and look forward to continuing our extraordinary learning and celebrating the end of 2021 in style.

Enjoy the weekend and remember to set those alarms a little earlier on Monday to have your children here at School on time.

As advised yesterday, Term 3 will commence with Distance Learning. Below are some essential reminders and guidelines for families

  • Hills Grammar Campus is open to children of essential workers. 
    • For K - 12 | please click here to notify the School of your intentions to attend onsite from Tuesday. 
    • For ECEC | please click here to notify ECEC of your intentions to attend onsite. 
       
  • Students who attend onsite will be centrally located as follows. Students will participate in the Distance Learning Program and we will monitor numbers to ensure appropriate social distancing is exercised.   
    • Junior School | Year 6 Centre
    • Senior School | SSC
       
  • All staff, visitors, and Senior School students MUST wear a mask while on campus
  • Class teachers will set work for students who attend and check in with them in respect to their learning and wellbeing during the day.
     
  • Distance Learning commences Tuesday 13 July 2021, and will be available to all students on-site and working remotely.

Distance Learning

To ensure that learning and teaching commence effectively we have put together the following documents for families to prepare themselves for distance learning from Week 1.

Parents are able to access past communications through the dedicated space on the Parent Section of the website. Please check this space regularly.

Throughout this period of distance learning, please keep in touch with your child/children’s teacher(s) and more generally, and as is always the case, I am happy to receive emails or phone calls from parents/carers to discuss any matter(s) they may wish to raise – michael.smith@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au

2020

It was a joy to see students on site this week with all of Year 12 in attendance and a good number of other students ECEC to Year 11 back in their classrooms. The pulse of the School is slowly returning and we now look forward to larger numbers of students returning next, and in subsequent weeks.

Thank you to our parents for following social distancing guidelines and staying in your cars whilst your children walk to and from class.  If we consistently exhibit these distancing measures we will minimise the risks and ensure the health and safety of the Hills Grammar community.

Week 4 | Term 2

We are moving back to Face-to-Face teaching as the primary model of delivering quality teaching and learning from next week, but recognise that some students will continue to work at a distance. As such please note the following.

Face-to-Face and Home Learning

Junior School | K – 6

Junior School Timetable | Distance Learning Timings

Face-to-Face

  • Classroom Teachers, with specialist teachers supporting student learning, in classrooms, including LAND and LAUNCH, and 4 periods per day as per Distance Learning timetable
  • Learning activities continue to use OneNote to structure learning at School
  • Pre-recorded audio or visual materials may be used to support student learning from home and School

Home Learning

  • Video conference call for LAND and LAUNCH (inclusive of students in class)
  • Where it is practical to do so, we will look to include students learning from home in video conferencing or streaming at points in the day (recognising that face-to-face is the primary mode of delivery)
  • Pre-recorded audio or visual materials may be used to support student learning from home and School
  • Learning activities continue to use OneNote to structure learning at home (Years 3-6) and emailed home
  • Learning activities sent via email and/or SeeSaw to parents to help guide learning (Years K-2) and emailed home
  • Weekly phone calls to parents/carers of students who continue to learn from home
  • NB - Full timetable, including specialist lessons from Week 5 (timing of lessons to be confirmed before Week 5).

Senior School

Senior School Timetable | Distance Learning

Click here for a copy of the email sent today to Senior School students from the Head of Senior School.

Face-to-Face

  • Distance Learning timetable for Week 4, including Connect to start day and current (adjusted) timings, however with a 3.20 pm finish
  • Pre-recorded audio or visual materials may be used to support student learning from home and School
  • Learning activities continue to use OneNote to structure learning at School
  • Weekly email to all students (Face-to-Face or Home Learning) outlining the week’s learning

Home Learning

  • Video conference call for Connect at 8.45-9.00 (inclusive of students in class)
  • Pre-recorded audio or visual materials may be used to support student learning from home and School
  • Where it is practical to do so, we will look to include students via live streaming (recognising that face-to-face is the dominant mode of delivery)
  • Learning activities continue to use OneNote to structure learning at home
  • Phone calls to parents/carers of students who continue to learn from home.

NB – Some further adjustments to the timing of the School day may be made for Weeks 5-9

Onsite Practices

You are able to access the School’s onsite practices by clicking here for K-12 and clicking here for ECEC

The Bulletin

The Bulletin this week is full of interesting and rich content from across the School.  Please ensure you take the time to review it. Click here for access to information including

  • ECEC - policies and information
  • Year 6 Video Assembly
  • School Fun Run
  • Co-curricular - Distance Learning style
  • Parent Learning Lounge - Raising Screenagers
  • Futures and Enterprise - University Applications | Careers Expo | Newcastle Uni

FAQ

Temperature Checking

As outlined in this article, the AHPPC suggests to NOT temperature check students in schools. There is, of course, no reason why parents cannot check temperatures prior to their children coming to school.

Canteen | Not Operational

In previous correspondence, I indicated that the canteen would be operational from Week 4 – unfortunately, this is no longer possible. All students (K to 12) should ensure they have sufficient food and drink with them for recess and lunch until further notice.

Hills Grammar Private Buses

The Hills Grammar private buses will resume operation from Monday. Families should note that for the remainder of term, they will drop off and pick up from outside the Senior Studies Centre in the turning circle in Gate 2. If your family is resuming private bus travel, please ensure you advise us on bus@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au

We are looking forward to welcoming more of our students back to school next week.

Having insight into the effort teachers are putting in during this unprecedented time, I felt it was worth writing to pay a compliment where one is due. We really appreciate the on-line learning platform and effort Hills Grammar has created and I am impressed. As a school, you all had about a week and a half to prepare for this and we feel it has been excellent. | An Appreciative Parent

I trust Week 2 / Term 2 has been a productive week for everyone and our parent body continues to discover the delights of the teaching profession. Thank you for acting in our stead and working with us to ensure learning continuity in the current circumstances. I know our staff have again been productive and continue to embrace the challenges and possibilities of teaching and learning at a distance.  Their ongoing professionalism and enthusiasm is much to be admired, and on behalf of the School community, we salute and acknowledge them all.  

Last week we issued a Return to School Plan which aimed to provide families with clarity about the next phase of our management of the current circumstances and information to allow them to assess and make decisions that are in the best interests of their children. There have been a range of views expressed about the Plan and I respect each and every one. To enable you to make your own decisions, as primary carers, the School needed to indicate how it saw Term 2 panning out.  

One thing that was perhaps not clear last week, and I wish to address directly here, is that whilst the teaching staff will return next week and will be in their classrooms (Distance Learning timetable), you are free to schedule /stagger your child(ren’s) return to school as you see fit eg 2 days per week, 3 days per week etc. In essence if you wish to put in place a roster of gradual return, building to full time attendance over time, that is your right and you will be supported by the School.

To assist you further in making this decision the plan for Week 3 is resupplied below, along with the day to day practices we will all observe on site during the remainder of the term. Please read these carefully and if you have not yet, please click here to complete the Expression of Intent in regard to your expected return to school. This will enable us to better plan for the remainder of the term.

Week 3 | Term 2

Onsite Practices | Term 2

Aim: to provide a safe and healthy school environment in which the joy of learning can flourish

Click here to view Kindergarten to Year 12

Click here to view ECEC

The Bulletin 

The Bulletin this week is full of interesting and rich content from across the School.  Please ensure you take the time to review it. Click here for access to information including

  • ECEC - policies and information
  • Return to School social stories for our Junior School
  • A video message from our School Leaders
  • A wealth of wellbeing resources
  • Public bus time table changes
  • Scholastic Book Club
  • Co-curricular - Distance Learning style
  • Parent Learning Lounge - Distance Learning style
  • Futures and Enterprise - News from Macquarie University and UNE
  • Links to our Hills Grammar graduates who are available as tutors and babysitters

Mother's Day in Isolation

At this time of the year, PAFA would normally be overseeing the annual Mother's Day Stall where our ECEC and Junior School children would eagerly choose a gift for their mum, grandmother or that special person in their lives. Sadly it is a little quiet here today. But let's not lose the sentiment of Mother's Day, let's ensure that we all take a few minutes to say thank you, to be grateful and to remember. 

On behalf of the School Executive, and our Mothers as seen below, we send our best wishes and appreciation to all Hills Grammar mothers, grandmothers, aunts and special people.  We hope that despite our isolation, Mother's Day 2020 will be a special and memorable occasion for all.

The Commonwealth and State Governments have passed the baton of leadership to individual school communities to identify how best to resume normal operations. As such, and as promised last week, we have been developing Hills Grammar’s Return to School Plan. The prospect of our students returning, once again to work face to face with their teachers, is a welcome development and we are eager to progress this as soon as possible.  

However, rather than rush, react or rebel, the School Executive, in consultation with staff, and on the basis of the most recent advice, has been giving careful consideration as to what Hills Grammar’s return will look like. We are confident that our enhanced Term 2 Distance Learning Program will sustain quality teaching and learning while the phased return to School is in progress.  

The information below:

  • aims to reassure our community (families, staff and wider) that our careful risk management approach, will enable us to return to school as soon as possible
  • is provided to enable parents / carers  to make informed decisions and a personal assessment in respect to their child’s attendance and the timing of their return to School
  • outlines the Return to School Plan for your consideration. 

At the end of this communication you will be asked, having considered and assessed the content, to indicate what your intention is in respect to your children returning to school. Please ensure therefore that you read to the end and complete the expression of intent survey by Wednesday 6 May 2020.

The School reserves the right to alter the Plan if circumstances change – for example, if student attendance is restored earlier than Week 4, face to face learning and teaching may replace Distance Learning as the primary mode of delivery sooner.

Guiding Principles

The following principles have guided our thinking and informed our decisions.

As members of the Hills Grammar community:

  • we will co-operate and comply with requirements, recommendations and guidelines
  • we will keep ourselves informed, be cognisant of the facts and act accordingly
  • we accept that good hygiene is key to curtailing the virus
  • we are committed to maintaining our health and wellbeing, and that of others
  • we recognise that Hills Grammar’s environment (school, class and land size) is unique and affords us the opportunity to employ strategies that are simply not possible in other schools
  • we accept that social distancing within a school environment is difficult, particularly for children, and advice is contradictory, but commit to advocating for it, and observing it as much as is practical
  • that there will be no large School gatherings, such as assemblies, or excursions off campus for the forseeable future
  • that families, students and staff will have been exercising social isolation and distancing for up to seven weeks prior to full resumption of school routines
  • that, if unwell, sick or vulnerable remaining home is required and absences can be accommodated
  • that education is best delivered at school (classrooms and other learning environments)
  • that governments advise that there is very limited transmission between children in the school environment and population screening overseas has shown very low incidence of positive cases in school aged children
  • that only a single mode of delivery will be used at one time, this being either Distance Learning or Face to Face teaching as indicated in the Return to School Plan

Please Note 

Hills Grammar is committed to providing a safe and caring environment for all members of the School community.

The Return to School Plan below is based on the premise that the curve continues to flatten. In the event that this is not the case or there is a further spike or escalation of the crisis – the School will revise its plan accordingly.

Mitigating COVID-19 Risk at Hills Grammar

A Guide to the Risk Control Measures (COVID-19) has been developed, broadly outlining the safety measures we are observing on site. Please review this document when making your own personal assessment about your child/ren’s return to school. These measures are designed to mitigate risk, but we all appreciate that it is not always possible to eliminate or mitigate completely.

Please note – the Guidelines do not capture all measures or practices the School will implement as we return to school. Specific expectations, titled ‘Our Responsibilities’ are currently being finalised and will be issued, by the Heads of School, to staff, students and parents prior to Week 3.

Further, if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in our school environment the following protocol will be actioned:

  • Any staff member or student who becomes unwell while at school will be isolated and leave/be collected by a parent or carer immediately
  • Where a case of COVID-19 is confirmed, the School will notify NSW Health and take any action recommended / required, including closing the School for a mandated period and undertake a thorough clean of the site as per NSW Health guidelines.
  • The School will keep the community updated via the School’s website, Facebook and other local messaging systems.
  • Staff and students will be supported to work or learn from home (Distance Learning) if they are required to self-isolate, or if they have been identified by NSW Health as a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19
  • Parents / Carers of children and young people with a health care plan should ensure this is up to date, and if required, provide additional advice to the School on any additional monitoring in the context of COVID-19 – please contact the Student Health Centre to update plans SchoolClinic@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au

Return to School Plan – Summary 

Please review the following or click here for a printable version.

Frequently Asked Questions

ECEC – our twice ‘Exceeding’ rated Early Childhood Education Centre is operating as usual and the regular curriculum is being implemented on site with familiar educators and teachers. Parents and Carers are encouraged to return to their normal schedule. Adjustments to routines to ensure safety will remain in place until further notice. Accommodations for students who remain absent from the Centre will be made on an individual basis.

Public Buses – continue to operate. The School was advised last term that additional cleaning protocols were being implemented to enhance safety. If parents / carers do not wish to take this risk associated with public transport and travelling in close proximity to others, the only alternative is for students to be driven, to and from school.

Hills Grammar Buses – are currently not running, but in accord with the Return to School Plan will resume in Week 4 (18 May).

Canteen – is not currently operating, but in accord with the Return to School Plan will resume operations in Week 4 (18 May). All students, other than ECEC attending prior to this date, should ensure they have sufficient food and drink with them for recess and lunch until the canteen reopens. The Canteen is implementing their own protocols to manage risk of COVID-19. These are in accord with the School’s and we are working closely with each other to ensure consistency of approach and continuity of service.

Uniform Requirements – in the circumstances, students attending School prior to Week 4 have the option of wearing their summer, winter or sports uniform. It is expected that students will transition into winter uniform during week 3 and be in full winter uniform by Week 4 (18 May). Please click here for further details from our uniform suppliers, (Bob Stewart) in respect to purchasing of winter items. The Uniform Shop is implementing their own protocols to manage risk of COVID-19. These are in accord with the School’s and we are working closely with each other to ensure consistency of approach and continuity of service.

OOSH – is operating as usual and the regular program is being implemented on-site by Camp Australia staff. Camp Australia is implementing their own protocols to manage risk of COVID-19. These are in accord with the School’s and we are working closely with each other to ensure consistency of approach and continuity of service. Parents who use this service for their children should speak directly with OOSH staff in respect to the measures they have in place to mitigate risk.

Thank you for your ongoing co-operation and support of the School in these circumstances. The staff have been heartened by your positive feedback and we all look forward to the next phase of the 2020 School year. I doubt we will see its like again, but if we do, we know we will be stronger and better for having worked so positively with each other this year. 

Click here to complete the intention to return survey by Wednesday 6 May

Your questions and comments are, as always, welcome – please email me michael.smith@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au at your convenience

The Outcomes Will Be positive

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable break, or a change of routine. Whilst we are all dealing with the challenges brought on by Covid-19, it has also been a wonderful time for people to dig deep, be positive, resourceful and resilient. In this sense, the long-term outcomes of the current ‘crisis’ have, and will be, positive. I am convinced of this, as I have seen families being creative and innovative, exercising, playing games and spending more time with each other.

The outcomes for our School will also be positive, validating what we have always known at Hills Grammar: how important our relationships are; how much we value each other and how much we miss gathering each and every day. We are also appreciative of the advancements in the use of technology in the delivery of outstanding teaching.

Early Childhood Education Centre

Our twice ‘Exceeding’ rated Early Childhood Education Centre is operating as usual and the regular curriculum is being implemented on-site with familiar educators and teachers. Parents and Carers are encouraged to return to their normal schedule. However, we understand that some parents are choosing to keep their children at home and to this end, you can continue to use the Take Home Pack with activities and ideas for home learning that was issued last term. Emails will continue to be sent throughout the week with activities which can be completed throughout the day and ECEC staff will maintain communication with families both via email and phone. We continue to encourage the sharing of the children’s work via photos and emails.

Kindergarten to Year 12

A reminder that, from Thursday 30 April, the School K to 12 is open to parents and carers who choose to send their children to school – mindful that they are supervised in centralised areas (CIC and SSC) whilst they complete their distance learning program. This provision is specifically targeted at children of essential workers, however, we understand that other families may need to access this service.  Please complete this form if you intend to send your children to School from Thursday 30 April.

Transitioning Back to School

It is my intention to communicate our decisions and our Return to School Plan by Friday next week - 1 May 2020.

The Premier announced on Tuesday, broad guidelines for students across all school sectors in NSW to transition back to the classroom during Term 2.  There is a degree of flexibility for government and non-government schools within these guidelines and as such, Hills Grammar is carefully considering many options, and their implications, before deciding and announcing how we will return to school.

Schools have been placed in a difficult situation and the messaging from authorities has been confusing and, in some cases contradictory. Throughout this ‘crisis’ Hills Grammar has been cautious and prudent in its decision making as the advice changed daily. After weeks of political wrangling between the Commonwealth and the State about schools reopening – at the last minute, the issue has effectively been passed back to schools to make their own arrangements and decisions about transitioning back to full-time schooling in situ.

In making our decisions we must, and will comply with State registration requirements, Australian Government funding conditions, health recommendations and school community expectations. We need to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of our students, teachers, other employees as well as people entering our campus – including you, our parents and carers. Within these compliance requirements, we will determine a transition pathway that is suitable for our school community and our particular circumstances in the coming week.

Distance Learning | Weeks 1 and 2

Distance Learning remains in place until further notice and officially recommences on Thursday 30 April.

To ensure our approach to learning and teaching continues to meet the needs of our students and to provide guidance to our parents, with whom we are working in partnership, we invited comment and feedback (parents, staff and students) toward the end of last term. In response, enhanced Distance Learning Plans have been developed.

  • Please click here to access the Kindergarten to Year 2 Distance Learning Plan | Term 2
  • Please click here to access the Year 3 and Year 4 Distance Learning Plan | Term 2
  • Please click here to access the Year 5 and Year 6 Distance Learning Plan | Term 2
  • Please click here to access the Years 7 - 12 Distance Learning Plan | Term 2

Please review these in respect to your child(ren) before next Thursday. The staff will be on site on Monday – Wednesday to ensure all is in readiness for the resumption of learning on Thursday.

Looking Forward

Our exciting 2020 School Agenda remains on track.

Whilst it is true that much of our attention has been on managing the current situation, I want to assure everyone that the exciting agenda we set for 2020 has not been suspended and our work in pursuit of these outcomes continues.

The Strategic Priorities are being progressed and rolled out and I look forward to reporting on these more directly as the term progresses.

Of particular interest to everyone will be the development of the playing fields at the back of 33 Kenthurst Road. The Capital Works Committee is working with our architect and specialists on the playing fields to finalise the design, documentation and costing. I imagine this will occur in the next two weeks in readiness for the School Council to review and approve Phase One. Phase Two is the construction phase and the timeline will be announced for this later this term.

I was asked a number of times prior to our shut down, whether the School was going to purchase 39 Kenthurst Road (the old gallery site) which was visibly on the market earlier in the year. I am pleased to announce that the School Council approved the purchase of the property early this year and settlement occurred this week. This provides another opportunity for the School to shape its future (short and long term), but for now our focus will be on getting our playing fields project across the line.

Parent Learning Lounge Program

Refreshing, Informative and Fun.

During Term 2 our Parent Learning Lounge Program will continue, having been modified to suit a distance learning approach. We have been working with our Guest Speakers and Staff to put together a program of “Quick-Bite” sessions that will be delivered via video and podcast.

Refreshing, informative and fun sessions will include:

  • Your Personal Wellbeing
  • Eat to Thrive – Nutrition for Children
  • Raising Screenagers
  • How to make your Wardrobe Work for You

More information will be issued as the new term commences.

 
 

Distance Learning at Hills Grammar is up and running and we thank everyone for embracing the opportunities it is offering. I am convinced that out of these difficult circumstances, long term and positive outcomes for learning and teaching will result. 

None of us saw the current health crisis coming, but the community – staff, students and parents – have responded magnificently in the circumstances. Our approach is to ensure learning continuity and it will evolve, particularly as we receive feedback about what is working and what needs further development. 

In the coming week members of the School’s Executive will be contacting randomly selected groups of parents to see how things are going on the home front and to ask for feedback. 

However, we welcome everyone’s feedback via 
distancelearning@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au.
Emails sent here will be acknowledged automatically, rather than individually, and feedback and suggestions considered as part of the School’s ongoing response. 

Similarly, we will be issuing an online survey to students next week providing them with an opportunity to provide feedback to the school and their teachers.

Many schools, and the media, have branded this new approach to the delivery of curriculum as ‘online or digital learning’.  

At Hills Grammar we:

  • made the deliberate decision not to jump in the deep end of a fully online experience, and then discover none of us could swim
  • made the deliberate decision to continue to focus on quality teaching and learning, which we believe is best achieved using a wide range of experiences and mediums, not a singular experience of staring at a screen all day
  • have endeavoured to be respectful of the context and circumstances in which learning is now taking place – i.e. parents and staff juggling work, commitments and parental and other family commitments within their homes
  • believe that distance learning is more than online learning, the latter of which has the potential pitfall of being over-reliant on a set of limited technologies, which may not prove to be sustainable beyond a short period
  • seek to balance online communication and modes of instruction with time for our students to work independently on rich and well-designed learning activities, vary their routine by engaging in co-curricular and physical activity, whilst safeguarding the wellbeing of our students  

As such, our Mission of  

‘Outstanding teaching within a unique learning environment (albeit currently at home), fostering each students potential for greatness’

is still very much our focus, and possible in the unprecedented situation we all find ourselves.  

Please find the latest newsletter here. 

A few reminders as we approach the launch of our Distance Learning Program tomorrow  

  1. Hills Grammar remains Open (Pre K to 12)
  2. School is open until Term 1 concludes and all children are welcome.  
  3. Parents are welcome to send their children to School should they choose, or need to.  
  4. Students who attend School will be centrally located as follows - Junior School (CIC / JS1), Senior School (SSC). Students will participate in the Distance Learning Program and we will monitor numbers to ensure appropriate social distancing is exercised.  
  5. Class teachers will set work for students who attend and check in with them in respect to their learning and wellbeing during the day.  
  6. Distance Learning commences tomorrow Thursday 26 March 2020, and will be available to all students on site and working remotely.
 

General Distance Learning Guidelines were issued last week and today, we are pleased to provide further guidance, in the confidence that our teachers and our students will work effectively, to ensure that learning and teaching continues, and to a high standard.

Read our Distance Learning Plan Additional Information for Parents guide.  To make it easier for parents, we have created a dedicated space on the Parent Section of the website for all of our Distance Learning information. Please check it regularly. 

Throughout this period of distance learning, please keep in touch with your child’s / children’s teacher(s) and more generally, and as is always the case, I am happy to receive emails or phone calls from parents / carers to discuss any matter(s) they may wish to raise – michael.smith@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au

I wanted to take a moment to thank the entire Hills Grammar community, for their commitment and support of the School’s work over the last few weeks. This unprecedented turn of events has raised many questions, with the answers changing almost every day.  

Your dedication to your children’s / our students’ education and wellbeing is something to be celebrated – and I feel very honoured to serve a community of people who are endeavouring to do their best to maintain a sense of normality in this challenging time.

As our students leave ”us” and their regular school day, to join ‘you’ in their new learning environment, we hope you see their ‘extraordinary’, just as clearly as we do each and every day.  

We hope you notice the small things – the way they hold the pen when they are thinking, or smile at themselves when they get something right, or collaborate creatively and critically with their peers. It is these moments that we as educators see often, and enjoy the most.  So, please cherish them.  

This morning I met with all staff (appropriately social distanced in the RJ Phipps Performance Centre) to update them on the School’s management of the current Coronavirus situation. The Director of Learning and Teaching, Geoff Gates also addressed staff about learning and teaching continuity.  

I left the meeting excited about our distance learning protocols, the opportunities that staff will be providing their students in the coming weeks and confident that quality teaching and learning can, and will continue.  

The source of this confidence stems from  

  • our committed, diligent, innovative and creative teaching staff  
  • an appreciation that learning and teaching is relational, and that digital is not a panacea, but a tool
  • our plans for regular communication between home and school (teacher)  
  • an understanding that learning in the home is different to learning on campus
  • the mutual respect that already exists between our staff and parents  
  • an acceptance that flexibility, patience and understanding are essential as we deal with this unprecedented situation.  

I feel sure this experience will challenge you in many ways, and I ask that you be patient – hold on tight, and continue to trust us with your children’s extraordinary education, albeit from a distance for the next little while.

Shorty, you will receive communication on how your child’s learning and teaching will continue. Expect to remain connected with us at School, and feel supported by a full complement of teaching staff, who are currently working on site.  

If, at any time, distance learning becomes too complex – for you or your children, please call us.  Let us know how we can better support your individual circumstances.  Most of all, send us your stories – the energy at the School has already changed without the children and young people here, and your stories will help enhance this new teaching model, as well as continue to motivate our very dedicated staff.  

Whilst these are challenging times, we must cherish and preserve those things that make us Hills Grammar. On behalf of the staff, we look forward to working with you in the coming weeks in the pursuit of ‘extraordinary education’, albeit it delivered differently for now.  

Take care and stay healthy.

  • Please click here to access the Kindergarten to Year 2 Distance Learning Plan | Term 2
  • Please click here to access the Year 3 and Year 4 Distance Learning Plan | Term 2
  • Please click here to access the Year 5 and Year 6 Distance Learning Plan | Term 2
  • Please click here to access the Years 7 - 12 Distance Learning Plan | Term 2
  • Please click here to access the School’s Distance Learning Plan
  • Please click here to access additional information about the School’s Distance Learning Plan
  • Please click here to access information about Seesaw
  • Please click here for instructions about how to adjust your SeeSaw notifications
  • Please click here for ICT – Setting Up a Student iPad for Microsoft Teams | Year 1
  • Please click here for ICT – Starting and using Microsoft Teams on a Windows PC | Years 2-4

From the Principal

Dear Year 12

I am writing to you as the Class of 2020 to assure you that the School is doing, and will do, everything it can to support you in your learning, in difficult circumstances and during this period of disruption. I am not sure any of us could have foreseen this turn of events when we commenced 2020 and no doubt they have caused some stress and uncertainty. 

There has been a lot of speculation in the media about the 2020 Higher School Certificate in the context of the health crisis the country and the world is experiencing. Yesterday, NESA released a statement outlining their response to concerns with regards to the HSC. This communication states that the 2020 HSC will go ahead so as to facilitate access to university, further education and employment. This then is the answer – we will all continue to work toward completing your courses to the best of your ability. Maintain momentum and focus, particular at this time. The continuity of your learning is important, as is your support of each other. 

Please see below some specific guidance concerning the weeks ahead. 

Should you need any support or further advice please do not hesitate to contact your mentor, Mr Donaldson, Mr Gates or Mr Cook who will facilitate your access to answers and ensure you have clarity about what you should be doing and how best to maximise your considerable potential as individuals and as a cohort of peers. 

We are more than happy for you to use the Senior Study Centre for independent study until the end of the term – exercising appropriate social distancing strategies – and will keep you apprised of possible use during the school holidays. 

Best wishes to you all.

From the Head of Senior School and the Director of Learning and Teaching

We hope you are beginning to settle into the new routine of accessing your lessons in a unique learning environment. Communications about Distance Learning have been sent to the School Community, but we wanted to write to you in particular as Year 12. No doubt your teachers have been in touch as well and your learning continues, albeit it at home. 

Our Distance Learning Program begins officially today 25 March 2020, and you will receive specific emails from your teachers and directions about your learning in OneNote and MS Teams. Importantly, we would like you to follow your normal timetable and complete work sent to you as a way of balancing your time across the different subjects. This will also allow the opportunity for teachers to use MS Teams, which may include audio and video conferencing at points in the week. You will be able to ask questions via Teams or by email during the usual lesson times. 

Formal assessment tasks of a hand-in nature will be submitted via Turn-it-in (instructions from teacher or Head of Department). Some assessments will be converted from in-class to hand-in tasks, and we will continue to monitor the situation about how any postponed assessments will be managed at the start of Term 2. You are reminded that normal processes of submission by the assigned deadline remains, and penalties will apply to lateness. Where illness or misadventure applies, please use that process. 

Please note that NESA’s advice will guide our policies with regard to formal assessment, and questions from students or parents should be directed towards to Mr Gates as Director of Learning and Teaching | geoff.gates@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au

The most recent NESA advice can be found at this link | "2020 HSC is Going Ahead”.

In line with this advice, 

  • All Internal Assessments are handled by the School's policies and procedures, with advice from NESA. This will continue to be the case during these times of disruption. Heads of Department will work with the Director of Learning and Teaching to determine changes to the assessment program. Where possible for Term 1, current assessments of an in-class nature have been changed to hand-in. 
  • HSC Performances – Students should discuss current work on HSC performances (Music and Drama) with the Head of Department for guidance. MS Teams provides a means to view performances, uploaded as Video and Audio files. 
  • HSC Major Works – Where these are of a practical nature, the emphasis of learning in Weeks 9-11 will be on theory or work manageable away from site. Further accommodations to students may need to be made and should there be changes this will be managed by the Head of Department in consultation with The Head of Senior School and/or Director of Learning and Teaching.  NOTE: NESA has assured us that further advice with regard to those subjects with Major Works components will be forthcoming and once we have this we will pass this onto you.

Remember to keep active, eating healthy foods and connect with your friends (remotely) to ensure you are fresh and focus when completing your work.

Please feel free to send feedback to us on your experiences of Distance Learning so we can continue to innovate and make the best of a very challenging set of circumstances. 

In the meantime, we wish you all the best with your current assessments and class learning. 

Click here to view the Co-curricular Programs Distance Learning Page

Click here to view the Distance Learning Bulletin 8 May

Click here to view the Distance Learning Bulletin #1

Click here to view the Newsletter | 2 April

Cross Country / Fun Run | Fundraising

Click here to access a letter regarding the postponement of the Cross Country / Fun Run.

Uniform Shop | Amended Hours

The Uniform Shop will adjust their trading hours and days for the remainder of the term. Click here for their revised opening times.

Preparing For Home Schooling 

Click here to view homeschooling information - presented by SchoolTV.