Dear parents and caregivers, We have had a really positive start to Term 3, with a number of activities and events occurring in the first 3 to 4 weeks of the term. Last week we held our open day. We were really pleased with the number of students, parents and whaanau who attended during the day and evening sessions, despite the weather. Just a reminder that Year 9 in zone enrollments are due by 26 August which is the same date that Year 9 out of zone applications are due. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

We are still really struggling with ensuring the front of our school is safe at pick up time.

The health clinic has two school nurses who job share. They are here to see the students who are sick or injured at school. Students can be seen at interval and lunch and during class time if urgent. All students are expected to see their class teacher for a pass to come to the clinic if it is necessary during class time.

There are a few key staff changes that you may need to be aware of for Term 4.

Whaanau Hui - 15th August - 5.30pm - 7.00pm - Staff Room.

On Friday Mr Chibnall was presented with a Life Membership to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation for his service to Football especially the referee community!

One of my favourite things about being a leader at Hillcrest is our ability to create and implement new events. This year the other Head Students and I decided to run a four day long event called “Circumspeekayweekay”, deriving the name from our school motto ‘Circumspice’.

Way back in 1988, Dr. Elsie Walker had a shaky start at Hillcrest High School. At four-feet-five-inches tall, she literally didn’t look physically ready for high school, let alone emotionally prepared. Her parents were recently divorced, and she felt timid about moving from Berkeley Middle School to the “big school.”

Rachel Weir, 1991 Dux, visited school on Monday 24 July.

Come and support our staff and students to create memories in Rotorua for a class trip.

Wow! What an awesome time we all had at Arts Fest that was on during week two.

A group of Drama students had the best time at ‘Basmati B*tch’ last week at Q Theatre in Auckland!

The ILC and PAC were entered in the Children and Young Adults with special needs section and placed as follows:

On in Te Kore Theatre, Week Five - 15th-18th August

We had a vibrant and highly successful season! Five junior teams competed across five rounds. Well done to all students involved. It takes courage and commitment to debate in this tournament. These are a very inspiring group of young people.

Our Cultural captains and their team put on yet another wonderful concert for Hillcrest and our community this year.

Our staff were put through their paces this morning as part of Cook Island Language Week.

On Monday 24th July the PAC students and staff, along with Ms McKnight and members of the Enviro council, were involved in some native tree planting at Hillcrest Park. This was organised by learning assistant Zoe and Gerard Kelly from HCC in conjunction with our Matariki learning.

In early August this year, current year 12 student Claire Maree Norton and Hillcrest alumni Rosalie Norton will be performing on an international stage!

We have our information evening coming up at 6 pm on Thursday, 17 August, to be held in the staff room at school. We look forward to seeing old and new faces here that evening. For any queries please contact Whaea Raima @ rturner-abrahams@hillcrest-high.school.nz or text 0278840609. Nau Mai haere mai koutou.

Our very own Victoria Guo is off to the World Junior Badminton Championships in the USA and she requires some support to get there.

Winter sport is heading towards the end of its season with premier teams getting ready for tournament week in late august.

Year 10 student Ashley Calcott recently competed at the NZSS swimming champs an swum 6 PB's.

Yar 13 student Justin Smyth and his U19 quad crew are through to the semi finals at the world U19 rowing champs in Paris, France.

Josh Cavanagh (Year 12) gained two medals at the recent road champs event.

Here are a few of photos from Year 12 Tramping, camping and survival skills, and Rock climbing assessment at Xtreme Edge.

Summer sports are beginning preseason trainings and trials in preparation for Term 4.

Success for Hillcrest at the North Island Cyclocross Championships and Road races held in Whanganui last week.

Nickolas Kimura, Year 9, has been very busy in the world of Judo this year having won 4 gold medals in the past few months.