Dear College Families,

As we reach the end of another busy term, it fills my heart with immense gratitude to reflect on what truly makes our College a thriving Christ-centred community . It's in the everyday moments, the shared experiences, and the unwavering faith that we see God's hand at work, shaping and strengthening us all.

This week, we truly saw the power of proceeding in faith. Despite the less than favourable weather reports for our Middle and Senior Athletics Carnival, we held firm in our belief and commitment to prayer, trusting that God would indeed make a way for it to proceed. And He did! It was a remarkable day, filled with spirited competition and wonderful camaraderie, a testament to what can be achieved when we place our trust in Him. This reminds me of Proverbs 3:5-6 : "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." We submitted our concerns to God, and He straightened our path to a successful carnival.

“The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.” – Proverbs 12:22

There’s something unsettling about dishonesty—whether it’s a child caught in a fib or a friend who twists the truth. But if we are honest with ourselves, we have all told our fair share of small lies too. Sometimes to avoid embarrassment. Other times to keep the peace. Occasionally, just to make life easier.

But we can all agree that honesty matters.

It’s not just about telling the truth—it’s about being someone others can trust. And that kind of trust takes bravery. Being honest often means risking how others see me, admitting I was wrong, or facing consequences. But every time I choose honesty, I strengthen my character and my relationships.

Scripture reminds me that God delights in those who are trustworthy. Not perfect—just honest. I think about Peter, who denied Jesus three times. A devastating failure. And yet, Jesus didn’t cast him aside. Instead, He restored him with love and gave him a new purpose (John 21). That kind of grace gives me hope.

Despite forecasts of rain, the clouds parted, and we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day for our Year 5–12 Athletics Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park. It was the perfect setting for a day filled with energy, competition, and house spirit!

Students from Denison, Fitzroy, Hunter and Philip came dressed in their house colours, ready to run, jump, throw and cheer their teams on. From sprints and relays to high jump and discus, every event showcased incredible effort and sportsmanship.

Congratulations to all our participants and we look forward to hearing which house came out on top!

A big thank you to our amazing PDHPE Department as well as all of our staff, volunteers and supporters who helped make the day such a smooth and successful event. We’re proud of all our students for their participation and positive attitude — bring on next year!

A few weeks ago, on a chilly Wednesday morning, Principal Carlie Deppeler, Pastor Jess (Lead Chaplain), and the School Captains attended the Sydney Prayer Breakfast. Despite the early start, they were richly blessed to be part of a powerful gathering of over 1,700 people united in prayer.

Representatives from all Adventist schools across Sydney were also present, creating a strong sense of connection and shared purpose among students and staff. Held in the heart of the city, the event brought together people from schools, churches, businesses and community organisations to pray for Sydney and its leaders.

On 12 June, five primary and three secondary students proudly represented Hills Zone at the CIS Cross Country Championships held at the International Equestrian Centre. Our students demonstrated great determination and sportsmanship throughout the day, competing against top runners from across the state.

Thank you to all the families who participated in our annual K-6 Family Science Fair! Over the past 22 years, regular involvement in our science fair has often led to strong performance in senior Science. We love seeing families support curiosity and disciplined thinking.

Students were scored on both their project/experiment and an interview with our Science teachers. The best entries closely followed the guidebook rubrics and showed strong understanding during the interview.

Every student, whether receiving a participation certificate or top award, gained valuable experience—from conducting investigations to confidently presenting to others.

We’re excited to share the wonderful achievements of Sam and Amelia in this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show Arts and Crafts Competition! Both displayed remarkable creativity and skill, earning well-deserved recognition.

Sam entered the Under 13 Decorated Biscuit category and took 1st place with his outstanding entry. His attention to detail and artistic flair truly impressed the judges and set his work apart.

Amelia competed in the 5-9 Year Olds Most Creative Fondant Cake category, winning 3rd place for her imaginative and beautifully crafted cake. Her creativity and dedication shone through, earning her a well-earned spot on the podium.

Congratulations to both Sam and Amelia for their fantastic efforts and success. Their achievements are a wonderful example of youthful talent and passion in the arts and crafts arena. We look forward to seeing more of their creative projects in the future!

When Canadian teacher Dana Kerford noticed the girls in her Year 4 class struggling with friendship issues, she created GirlPower —a program that gives kids the tools to understand and manage social conflict. Now widely used across Australia, the program (and its counterpart for boys, GoodGuys) teaches children practical strategies to deal with “Friendship Fires” and recognise the difference between everyday conflict and mean-on-purpose behaviour—both in person and online.

With digital communication playing a big role in young friendships, miscommunication, exclusion and passive-aggressive behaviour have become more common. GirlPower encourages kids to resolve issues face-to-face, build emotional resilience, and support each other in positive, respectful ways.

📖 Read the full article on SchoolTV: Navigating Friendships - Click Here

On Wednesday, 25 June, our Year 9 students enjoyed a memorable evening at the Invictus Bonfire Night. The night began with icebreaker games, followed by four interactive stations designed to build teamwork, foster connectedness, and create space for meaningful discussions about personal growth.

Students took part in engaging and reflective activities focused on character traits, empathy, personal strengths, and collaboration.

The evening ended with roasted marshmallows and pizza, shared around the warmth of the firepits. A big thank you to the Year 9 homeroom teachers for planning and hosting such a special event.

Year 1 has been diving into the wonders of the Material World this term, and it's been full of hands-on learning, exciting experiments and even a few songs.

Students explored different types of materials and their properties, with a special focus on gases. One highlight was experimenting with dry ice and learning about carbon dioxide, watching it change form and behave in fascinating ways. We also explored the difference between carbon dioxide and oxygen and saw how gas can exist in different states.

Another fun moment was experimenting with pH levels in water and observing how we could change them. Of course, no science session is complete without a song, so we topped it off by singing about salty water, which brought lots of laughs.

It has been a fantastic way for Year 1 to connect science with fun, creativity and curiosity.

Our Junior Athletics Carnival was a fantastic day full of energy, sportsmanship and plenty of smiling faces. After weeks of anticipation, the sun decided to make a welcome appearance, lighting up the track and field with perfect weather for the young athletes to shine.

K-4 students gave their best gave their best in a range of events from sprints and relays to long jump and shot put, showcasing great skill and determination. Families and teachers cheered loudly, creating an encouraging atmosphere that motivated every competitor to push themselves further.

A huge thank you to all the organisers, volunteers and parents who made the day so special. With the sun shining and spirits high, this year’s carnival was truly one to remember.

On Monday 23 June, Kindergarten enjoyed a Teddy Bears’ Picnic at school. In English, we have been reading a variety of bear stories, including books by Jez Alborough such as Where’s My Teddy?

Students brought in their favourite teddy bears and enjoyed a special picnic lunch with a treat. They listened to bear-themed stories and songs, wrote descriptions of their bears, made teddy ears, and took part in a range of fun bear-related activities throughout the day.

The bears followed their owners everywhere, and we all had a ‘beary’ good day!

Recently, we hosted the Junior School Movie Afternoon and we’re happy to say it was a great success. More than 80 students came along to enjoy Finding Nemo . With beanbags, snacks, blankets, and plenty of laughter, the evening had a warm, cosy atmosphere that brought everyone together after a busy week.

The event raised over $700, which will go towards building clean water tanks in the Solomon Islands. These tanks will provide safe, reliable access to water for communities in need, something we often take for granted. We’re proud to have supported such an important cause.

The afternoon was also about building community. Events like this bring students from different year levels together and foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose. It showed how our Junior School is full of kindness and generosity.

On Friday night, 27 June, our College community had the absolute privilege of witnessing the baptism of two of our students, Ebony J. and Makenzie D. It was a beautiful and moving occasion, as both girls publicly declared their commitment to follow Jesus.

They were baptised by our Castle Hill Campus Chaplain, Jonathan Dawson, surrounded by family, friends, teachers, and peers—a powerful reflection of the faith-filled community that continues to support and shape their spiritual journey.

This special moment is a wonderful example of what can happen when school, church, summer camp, and Pathfinders all come together to guide and encourage young hearts. The faithfulness of many working together has helped nurture and grow something truly meaningful.

We are so proud of Ebony and Makenzie for taking this step, and we know their decision has already inspired those around them. We’re sure both girls would love your continued prayers and encouragement as they continue walking with Jesus.

What a joy it is to celebrate milestones like this together as a Christ-centred community!

This week, our Year 8 students took part in an exciting all-day incursion run by Digi Ed, where they had the opportunity to become filmmakers for the day! Working in small groups, students planned, built, and filmed their own short stop-motion Claymation movies.

Throughout the day, students showed teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving as they brought their imaginative stories to life- one frame at a time. From moulding characters out of clay to learning about animation techniques and camera angles, the students were engaged and enthusiastic.

You can view the students’ finished movies here: Hills Adventist College 2025 - Google Drive

For the third year in a row , Hills Adventist College Year 8 students have been nominated for Movie of the Month – an incredible achievement that highlights their creativity, teamwork, and filmmaking skills!

This year, a big congratulations goes to Lachlan, Nami, Aarush, and Nathaniel for their short film ‘Ball Game’ – a fun and clever production that has impressed the judges.

📣 Let’s rally behind them! Cast your vote and help them win Movie of the Month:
👉 Vote for ‘Ball Game’ here: Movie of the Month

Thank you for supporting our students and celebrating their talents!

Earlier this month, our school was invited by School Bands Australia to attend the Band Together Festival at Riverside Theatre on Tuesday, 17 June. This exciting event brought together talented student bands from across Sydney for an inspiring showcase of musical performance and collaboration.

Year 5 and 6 students from both the Castle Hill and Kellyville Campuses have been working hard in their weekly band lessons, learning new instruments and developing their musical skills. The excursion was a fantastic opportunity for them to see where their musical journey could take them, all the way to the big stage!

In addition to enjoying the concert, our band students were treated to a special behind-the-scenes tour of the theatre, including a close-up look at the stage set-up and equipment. It was an eye-opening experience that deepened their appreciation for live performance and all the work involved in bringing a concert to life.

Year 7 student Damon J. has had an impressive year playing for the North West Sydney Hockey Representative teams. Damon is part of both the Under 14 1’s and Under 16 2’s squads. His U14 1’s team recently became the NSW State Champions for Division 2, showing great skill and teamwork throughout the season.

Damon’s U16 2’s team also won the Canberra Tournament earlier this year.

We congratulate Damon and his teams on their fantastic achievements!

Congratulations to Shreya P., who proudly represented our school in the CSSA Gymnastics Competition last week. Competing against 25 talented gymnasts, Shreya delivered an outstanding performance, placing 6th in the vault and 10th on the beam. Her hard work, dedication, and composure under pressure truly paid off. We are incredibly proud of Shreya’s achievement and look forward to seeing her continued success in future competitions. Well done, Shreya!

On Thursday 19 June, our Year 5 and 6 students had the exciting opportunity to take part in the Adventist Schools Gala Day held in Bankstown. It was a day full of energy, teamwork and positive competition as students represented our school with pride.

Both our boys and girls teams gave their all on the field. The boys showed great grit and determination throughout their matches, demonstrating strong teamwork and a never-give-up attitude. Our girls team was exceptional, winning all but one of their games—an impressive result that reflected their skill, focus and preparation.

We are proud of both teams not just for their performance, but for the outstanding sportsmanship they displayed throughout the day. They supported one another, played fairly and represented our school with integrity and enthusiasm.

Well done to all involved for making it a successful and memorable day!

We are thrilled to acknowledge one of our talented Year 10 students, Jenny Y, for being selected as a finalist in the 2025 Young Archies. This is a national portrait competition run in conjunction with the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Jenny’s portrait was chosen from thousands of entries submitted by young artists across the country. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to her artistic skill and dedication.

Jenny’s artwork will be exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW alongside the Archibald Prize finalists. What an amazing opportunity to have her work displayed in one of Australia’s most prestigious galleries!

Congratulations to Jenny on this outstanding accomplishment!

Our Boys Senior team capped off an outstanding season with a thrilling victory in the grand final! Their skill, determination, and teamwork shone throughout the competition, and in a nail-biting showdown against Northholm, they pulled off a fantastic win—securing the championship by just one point. It was a hard-fought battle right to the final buzzer, and their dedication and resilience truly paid off. Congratulations to this amazing team on a well-earned and memorable triumph!

The Intermediate team also had a brilliant season, entering the grand final undefeated. While they didn’t come away with the win in the final game, their strong skills, consistent effort, and great sportsmanship were on full display all season. Well done, boys, on a terrific season of growth and achievement.

We’re incredibly proud of all our basketball players for their hard work and commitment this semester. Here’s to even more success next season!

We are incredibly proud of our talented Year 9 students, who recently completed a creative and visually stunning project as part of their Character Design unit. Each student was challenged to reimagine a traditional deck of playing cards, bringing fresh ideas, unique characters, and thoughtful design into every card.

The printed decks arrived last week and looked absolutely amazing, a fantastic showcase of the students’ creativity, design skills, and attention to detail.

To celebrate their hard work, we hosted a Games Lunch in the Art Room , where students tested out their custom-designed decks and enjoyed some fun and friendly competition. It was a great way to wrap up the unit and see their designs come to life in action.

Well done to all our Year 9s on this brilliant achievement!

Early last Sunday morning, our wonderful Year 11 students showed incredible dedication and heart as they braved the chilly weather to run the Bunnings sausage sizzle stall at Rouse Hill.

Not only did they give up their time, but they also generously donated all the ingredients needed to serve up delicious sausage sandwiches. Their kindness and enthusiasm shone through as they warmly engaged with customers, proudly sharing that they were raising funds for a water tank for our sister school in the Solomon Islands.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who stopped by, bought a sausage sandwich, and supported our cause. Your generosity and encouragement mean the world to our students and will make a real difference to a community in need. We have raised well over $2,700.00.

Thank you for you support.

We’re excited to celebrate CBCA Book Week 2025 with the theme “Book an Adventure!” marking 80 years of Australian stories.

Book Week activities run Weeks 4 and 5 of Term 3, with the Book Character Parade on Friday 15 August at Castle Hill Campus, 9:30am for ELC to Year 4 students.

Kellyville Campus Kindy–Year 4 students will join at Castle Hill for the parade, author visit, Book Fair, activities, and canteen specials.

Parents and carers are warmly invited to attend and dress up!

Please ensure costumes reflect our Christian values—avoid witches, wizards, ghosts, vampires, guns, or swords. Contact your child’s teacher if unsure.

More details will be emailed closer to the date. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Book in for Winter Vacation Care with Extend!

Looking for fun and engaging activities for the upcoming school holidays? Our new OOSH provider, Extend , is offering an exciting Winter Holiday Program for our K-6 students filled with themed days, excursions, creative experiences, and active play. There's something for every child to enjoy.

📅 Program runs from Monday 7 July – Friday 25 July at our Kellyville Campus .

Book now to secure your place and lock in the Early Bird Rate!

🔗 View the program

🔗 Book here

We are excited to share the range of extra-curricular opportunities available to Hills Adventist College students in Term 3. These programs are offered during and outside of school hours and are facilitated by private providers. Please note that all activities are at an additional cost to parents.

If you haven’t already, please submit enrolment applications for siblings starting school in 2026 as soon as possible. Applications submitted after March 2025 may result in your child being placed on a waitlist.

As a general reminder, we encourage all families to submit enrolment applications as early as possible to assist with planning and to secure a place.

Run Club is in full swing, but it’s not too late to join!

Since June 2025, Middle and Senior School students have been getting active, building endurance, and having fun together.

All levels welcome — from beginners to seasoned runners. Each session includes a warm-up, group run, and cool-down, with a focus on enjoyment and personal progress.

📅 Wednesdays | 3:15–4:00 PM
📍 Limited spots – first come, first served!

📲 Scan the QR code or click Sign Up to register.
Lace up and join the fun!

As a heads-up for planning, the Term 1 dates for 2026 have been confirmed. Please note the important start dates:

Wednesday, 28 January : Year 7, Year 12 students, and Year 11 Peer Support Leaders only start
Thursday, 29 January : Year 1–6 and Year 8–11 students start (Castle Hill & Kellyville Campuses)
Monday, 2 February : Kindergarten students start (Castle Hill & Kellyville Campuses)
Thursday, 2 April : Term 1 ends ✅

If you have any questions, please contact the school office. The full 2026 term dates will be shared with families early in Term 3.

This applies to all Hills Adventist College students at both the Kellyville and Castle Hill campuses.

If your child will be absent , arriving late (even by a few minutes), or leaving early , please notify the College via the Absences tab in SEQTA Engage :

🖥️ Log in to SEQTA Engage
📌 Click the Absences tab (third on the left)
➕ Select 'New Absence'
📝 Fill in the details (include key info in the Comment section)
✅ Click Submit

Please note:
✉️ No confirmation email is sent.
🔍 Unresolved absences appear on your SEQTA dashboard.
📞 Phone calls to advise of absences will be redirected to SEQTA Engage.

Late arrivals/early departures:
🖊️ Students must sign in/out at the Kiosk in the College office.

Medical absences (2+ days):
📧 Email a medical certificate to: [email protected]

🙏 Thank you for supporting our attendance procedures.

This term in the library, our Years 3–6 students explored God’s Champions: Bible Characters Who Achieved Great Things by Anne Pilmoor. The book highlights lesser-known Bible characters and the values that helped them make faithful and courageous choices in life.

Each week, students reflected on how these values—such as trust , courage , and faithfulness —could be demonstrated in their own lives at school, home, and within the wider community.

Through meaningful discussions and Bible verses, students were inspired to think deeply about what it means to live with integrity and purpose , just like the champions they read about.