What a busy and wonderful term we have had in Junior School!
As we reflect on the past few months, we are filled with gratitude for the many opportunities we’ve had to celebrate, connect, and grow together as a community. Here are some highlights:

Book Week in Weeks Three and Four took us on a delightful adventure, with students dressing up as their favourite book characters and parading around the Castle Hill campus to share the joy with parents. Lunchtime and class activities in the library added to the fun, and students loved selecting new reads at the book fair. This week not only fostered a love for reading but also deepened our sense of connection through our shared love of stories.

Our annual Hearts and Harmony Concert was another highlight, with students (and Mary Poppins!) showcasing their creative talents. The evening was a heartwarming reminder of the incredible gifts within our school community—thank you for celebrating with us and inviting family and friends to join.

We also celebrated our fathers with heartfelt cards, socks, breakfast, and a game of putt-putt. These special moments reminded us of the importance of family and connection, and we’re grateful to Home and School for organising such meaningful events.

F1: Faith in the One

Next week, Junior School will be revving their engines for Week of Worship! Our theme this year is F1 – Faith in the One , and we are so excited to explore what it means to put our ultimate trust in God.

This year, our Year 4 students will be “driving” the whole event – leading songs, sharing dramas, and helping us all focus on Jesus. What a great opportunity for them to lead and inspire the rest of Junior School!

Week of Worship will run every day next week from 9:30am–10:30am at our Kellyville Campus , and families are welcome to join us.

Just like an F1 driver relies completely on their car and team to finish the race, we can rely completely on God — the One who made us, loves us, and provides for us every day.

Our key verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV):
"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 can’t wait for a week full of singing, prayer, and learning together. Let’s put our faith in the One who never lets us down!

Our Junior and Secondary athletes represented Hills Adventist College with pride and determination at the recent Hills Zone Athletics Carnivals. Both carnivals showcased exceptional talent, team spirit, and some record-breaking performances.

Primary Carnival

Twenty-one of our Junior School students competed with great energy and sportsmanship. Their efforts paid off, with eight students selected to represent the College at CIS Athletics.

Hills Adventist College placed 3rd overall as the best performed school.

Wow — what a wonderfully busy few weeks it’s been!

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us for our Family Picnic Day . After a week of rain, the sunshine made the day feel extra special, and it was truly heartwarming to see so many families relaxing, laughing, and enjoying the free activities together.

The atmosphere was filled with smiles, chatter, and plenty of shared picnic treats, as students proudly introduced their families to their friends and teachers. It was a wonderful reminder of the strong sense of community that makes our school so special.

This year, our school community came together to celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, and special people in our lives with a joyful morning of Putt Putt Golf. Organised by our dedicated Home and School team, the event was filled with fun, laughter, and meaningful connections.

Our heartfelt thanks go to Pastors Jess, Josh, and Johnny, who kept everyone refreshed with the best coffee and hot chocolate in town. Their warm smiles and service helped make the morning extra special.

We would also like to recognise Emylia, who is always ready to lend a helping hand whenever needed — your support never goes unnoticed.

A very special thank you goes to Aastha, a kind and generous Year 1B mum and owner of The Burrow in Cherrybrook, who generously provided delicious breakfast burritos and granola cups for the event. Her thoughtfulness and community spirit were deeply appreciated by all.

Our recent Week of Worship (WOW) was an unforgettable highlight for our school, uniting our community under the powerful theme “Lifesaver.” Each day was filled with vibrant worship, inspiring messages, heartfelt prayers, and moments that reminded us of the hope and love we find in Jesus—our ultimate Lifesaver.

Students and staff came together not only to reflect on faith but to actively live it out. The energy and joy across campus were contagious, and the sense of unity and encouragement was truly special.

House Day was a vibrant, student-led celebration of teamwork, leadership, and school spirit, with the campus bursting in house colours — Fitzroy (Yellow), Denison (Red), Hunter (Green), and Phillip (Blue).

Students took the lead in planning and running the entire event, showing incredible initiative and collaboration. They organised everything from securing Matthew Jensen as the Chapel speaker to rallying support from staff and even persuading Pr. Joshua Carnie to jump in last-minute to cook the much-loved sausages.

Throughout the day, students battled it out in a range of fun competitions, including tug of war, ring toss, volleyball, and giant Jenga — with cheers, laughter, and plenty of house pride on display.

In today’s digital world, young people are more connected than ever—using technology for learning, socialising, and entertainment. While the internet offers exciting opportunities, it also comes with risks such as cyberbullying, online predators, inappropriate content, and excessive screen time.

Cybersafety is about giving children the skills and knowledge to navigate the online world responsibly. This means fostering open communication between parents and children, setting appropriate boundaries, teaching online privacy and etiquette, and encouraging a healthy balance of screen use.

SchoolTV is an invaluable resource that supports schools and families in promoting digital wellbeing. It offers expert advice, practical strategies, and engaging content to help young people build resilience and make informed choices online.

By using SchoolTV, parents and educators can work together to ensure young people enjoy the benefits of technology—safely and confidently.

📖 Further resources on SchoolTV: Cybersafety - Click Here

Students and staff came together to remember Mr. Andrew Wheatley with a special tree planting ceremony at school. Mr. Wheatley was a kind and caring member of the school community who always encouraged others.

To honour his memory, a young tree was planted to grow as a symbol of the positive impact he had on everyone. Students also wrote heartfelt letters sharing their memories of him.

The ceremony was a touching way to celebrate his life and the kindness he brought to the school.

Our Primary School community was treated to an enchanting evening of music and dance as students took to the stage to showcase their talents in a vibrant celebration of creativity and faith.

This year’s theme, “A Million Dreams,” brought the magic of Broadway to life, with students performing a variety of much-loved songs that filled the auditorium with joy and energy. From lively instrumental pieces to spirited dance routines, each performance reflected the hard work and dedication of our young performers.

The concert was also a beautiful celebration of cultural diversity, with acts that highlighted different traditions and the way we are united in the love of Jesus. Families and friends were reminded of our commitment to global understanding, shared values, and the importance of community.

On Friday, 29th August, Kindergarten went to watch a live performance of the picture book Josephine Wants to Dance by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley at the Parramatta Riverside Theatre. The performance was a funny and entertaining musical about self-discovery, ballet, hip-hop, and a determined kangaroo. It tells the story of a kangaroo who never gives up on her dream to become a ballet dancer and, in the end, gets to star in a human ballet performance. The students absolutely loved the humour, costumes, singing, dancing, and the fun storyline! They were completely enthralled and captivated by the live performance.

Miss Jones and Mrs Rudenko

Our Year 7 and 8 students had a fantastic time at the World of Maths incursion, where they put their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to the test through a variety of hands-on activities. Working in teams, they communicated ideas, collaborated effectively, and explored the real-world applications of mathematics in a fun and interactive setting.

The incursion sparked curiosity and deepened their appreciation for the many ways maths is used in everyday life. It was a wonderful opportunity to see our budding mathematicians in action!

Year 6 have recently undertaken, an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding to our school in the amount of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. Here is a picture of us after out meet and greet with Alex Hawke.

Congratulations to Year 7 student Andrea T., who recently took part in the HICES Music Festival camp alongside students from many other schools.

Over the course of four days, Andrea engaged in intensive rehearsals, developing her musical skills and collaborating with talented peers from across the state. Her hard work culminated in a performance with the Vocal Ensemble during the festival’s final concert at Sydney Town Hall on Wednesday, 20 August.

This was an incredible opportunity for Andrea, and she thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Principal Deppeler, Mr Steyn, and Ms Kimberly Millar were privileged to attend the concert, and it was truly inspiring to witness what these students were able to accomplish in such a short period of time.

The music presented throughout the evening was varied, vibrant, and of an exceptionally high standard, showcasing the remarkable talents of both the students and the conductors who led each ensemble.

We are very proud of Andrea for representing our school with such dedication and passion.

This term, our Year 11 Biology students took their understanding of cell membranes to a whole new level—literally! As part of their Assessment Task 2, students were challenged to create stop motion videos and 3D models that visually represent the structure and function of the cell membrane.

From phospholipid bilayers to protein channels and active transport pumps, students used clay, paper cut-outs, digital animation, and voiceovers to bring these microscopic marvels to life. The results were nothing short of amazing—a blend of creativity, scientific accuracy, and storytelling.

The Voice Competition is a public speaking competition that involves problem-solving for students to tackle issues that affect their community, country and world. Students must pitch a solution to a problem and defend the feasibility of this proposed solution.

Students are split into junior (years 7-8) and senior (years 9-10) divisions. Those successful from preliminary rounds will continue to semi-finals and finals rounds. Hills Adventist College is hosting a preliminary round in late October. Please DM or see Mrs Logiudice if you're interested.   Website: https://unyouth.org.au/program/the-voice-competition/

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.

Spring Vacation Care – Book Now with Extend! 🌸

Looking for fun and engaging activities these school holidays? Our OOSH provider, Extend, is running an exciting Spring Holiday Program for K–6 students, packed with themed days, excursions, creative experiences, and active play – there’s something for every child!

📅 Monday 29 September – Friday 10 October
⏰ 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
💰 Pay from just $8.33 after CCS *
Full session fee: $83.31

*With Child Care Subsidy applied
**Without Child Care Subsidy applied

Book early to secure your spot and lock in the Early Bird Rate!

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.

We would like to remind families that, in line with the College’s Enrolment Policy, a minimum of one full term’s notice is required for any student withdrawal. If your child will not be returning to Hills Adventist College in 2026, please complete the Notice of Withdrawal form (linked below) and submit it to the College Registrar by the end of Term 3.

👉 Notice of Withdrawal

No action is required if your child is:

- continuing enrolment in 2026,
- already confirmed as leaving, or
- completing Year 12 in 2025.

Further details are available in the College’s Enrolment Policy:

👉 2026 Enrolment Conditions

Thank you for your continued partnership with Hills Adventist College. We look forward to supporting your child’s learning journey in the year ahead.

As with most schools in our area, we would like to reduce traffic build-up and minimise the impact on our neighbours and parents.

To keep traffic flowing smoothly and to allow everyone the opportunity to pick up their children in a timely manner, we kindly ask that you follow the guidelines below:

Please take note of the uniform shop holiday trading hours (see banner image). Additionally, there will be a price increase for items at the uniform shop. The new prices will take effect from 15th September.

Click here for the new prices

We appreciate your understanding and continued support.

A reminder that Premier’s Reading Challenge ends in ONE WEEK for Kindergarten to Year 10 students as part of our extra-curricular program at Hills Adventist College.

Our house balloons are well into their reading tour race. As of the beginning of September, Fitzroy has maintained its early lead with 20 challenge finishers now on board, followed by Denison with 15, Hunter with 13, and Phillip with 12. There is still time to help your house over the finish line, so make sure to complete your online reading logs by 11:59pm Friday 19 September.

NSW Premier's Reading Challenge Student Site

Enter your details here https://forms.office.com/r/6Wdm9zkKJ2 to obtain your new 2025 login details. If you are new to the College, please let us know any previous schools where you have completed the challenge.

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 College Reception. We look forward to sharing the full 2026 term dates with families soon.

We’re thrilled to share that Home and School has donated $20,000 🎁💰 towards Mechanical Curtains for the MPC ! Each year, we aim to make meaningful contributions – and sometimes a little magic ✨.

Psst… we’re also saving for an exciting building project. Come to a meeting to stay in the loop – it’s fun and low-pressure!

2026 Treasurer Role
Jo is stepping down as Treasurer next year. No accounting experience? No problem! Jo will guide you, and you’ll be supported by a great team.