There is a real sense of energy across our College at the moment, as students embrace new challenges, discover their strengths and continue to grow in confidence. This is especially evident as students prepare for important learning milestones and upcoming mid-year examinations.

As we move into the middle of the year, I am continually encouraged by the perseverance and commitment shown by our students. With assessments, examinations and key learning milestones on the horizon, this is a time that calls for focus, discipline and resilience. Across our College, students are responding with a willingness to work hard, to keep going when things feel challenging and to make the most of the opportunities before them.

This term, our Junior School students have been taking part in Pastor Josh’s Memory Verse Challenge! The challenge was pretty simple: memorise Ephesians 2:10 and recite it to me for a reward. The reward may have been a lollipop, but what the students gained was way more valuable.

I have been genuinely amazed by the response. Students from across the Junior School eagerly took up the challenge, with many memorising the verse surprisingly quickly. Throughout the term, students have approached me in the playground, before school, after chapel and during break times, excited to share the verse they had committed to memory.

The verse we chose was Ephesians 2:10:

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Our Kindergarten to Year 4 students enjoyed a fantastic day of fun, fitness and friendly competition at the Junior School Athletics Carnival, held at AH Whaling Reserve, Baulkham Hills, on Tuesday, 9 June.

Throughout the day, students enthusiastically participated in a range of track and field events, demonstrating great sportsmanship, resilience and encouragement for one another. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces as students challenged themselves, celebrated personal achievements and cheered on their classmates.

Students from the Middle and Senior Schools enjoyed a fantastic day of competition and house spirit at this year's Athletics Carnival, held at Sydney Olympic Park. The world-class venue provided the perfect setting for students to showcase their talents across a variety of track and field events.

Throughout the day, students demonstrated determination, resilience and outstanding sportsmanship as they competed for house points and personal bests. The enthusiastic support from teammates and spectators created a vibrant atmosphere, making the carnival an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Our College community came together for Adventist Education Mufti Day, showing the compassion and generosity that are at the heart of Adventist Education.

Students arrived dressed in bright colours, while our youngest learners in the Early Learning Centre (ELC) created heartfelt notes of encouragement. Together, our community raised an incredible $1,780 to support a much-loved teacher who previously taught at Hills Adventist College and is now part of the team at Hurstville Adventist School.

On 2 June, Ruoyi L., James P., Anna W. and Isaac W. represented the school at the AICES Cross Country Championships.

Isaac placed 3rd in the 15 Years Boys event and Anna finished 7th in the 13 Years Girls race, qualifying both athletes for the CIS Cross Country Championships on 25 June.

At CIS, Anna W. and Isaac W. were joined by primary students Cade B. and Lydia L. Isaac placed 5th and Anna finished 8th, earning selection for the All Schools Cross Country Championships on 21 July.

Congratulations to all of our students on their fantastic efforts, and best of luck to Anna and Isaac at All Schools.

Congratulations to our Stage 2 and Stage 3 boys’ football teams from the Castle Hill campus on an outstanding season, finishing first in their respective competitions.

Throughout the season, both teams demonstrated exceptional teamwork, skill, determination and sportsmanship. We are incredibly proud of the way they represented our school both on and off the field.

Well done, boys, on a fantastic achievement!

During the Hills Zone Secondary Semester 1 competitions, our students achieved outstanding results across both basketball and futsal.

The Junior Boys and Senior Boys Basketball B teams both finished as runners-up, while the Intermediate Boys Basketball B team claimed an impressive first-place finish. In futsal, the Junior Girls Futsal B team also enjoyed a successful campaign, securing first place.

Our Kellyville and Castle Hill campuses celebrated the 2026 National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) on Wednesday, 27 May, by joining the live-watch reading of Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller , written by football veterans Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd.

A record-breaking 2.28 million participants took part in the NSS this year, with the event aiming to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addressing key learning areas of the National Curriculum.

A recording of the SchoolTV Webinar is now available to watch on replay until Monday, 3 August .

The session, Understanding Anxiety and Depression to Foster Resilience (Part II) , explores practical ways to support young people’s mental health and build resilience at home.

Click to watch the webinar replay and catch up at a time that suits you.

You can also download the KEYpoints Flyer , which provides useful guidance to support ongoing conversations with your child at home.

The final session in this webinar series will be released next term, with further details to be shared when available.

Abbey and Nichola visited from Guide Dogs NSW. Abbey has tunnel vision and uses her guide dog, Duke, to assist her in everyday life. She works for Guide Dogs and teaches people how to use technology to support them. Abbey demonstrated how her phone reads aloud whatever she touches on the screen. She also showed the children how Braille works—a system of raised dots that she can read with her fingers. Abbey demonstrated taking a photo and having her phone describe the image to her, which helps her understand her surroundings.

Kindergarten ventured to the iconic Sydney Opera House to watch Bluey's Big Play . Students were thrilled to travel on a big bus and drive across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the way to the city. We enjoyed eating our lunch on the Opera House steps and were blessed with beautiful sunny weather.

The performance was filled with laughter and excitement as we met Bluey, Bingo, Chilli, Bandit and their neighbour, Lucky's Dad. One of the students' favourite moments was watching Bluey and Bingo drive their car while dressed as grannies! We also had great fun joining in a real-life game of "Keepy Uppy" with bubbles and balloons, creating a memorable end to a wonderful day.

Our Kindy students recently completed their first Project-Based Learning (PBL) Science project on Animal Shelters.

Each student chose an animal, learnt about what it needs to survive and drew a picture before designing and building a shelter to suit its needs.

The students proudly presented their shelters to the class, explaining how they would keep their chosen animal safe. We were so impressed by their creativity, confidence and fantastic effort throughout the project. Well done, Kindy!

Year 2 students from our Kellyville and Castle Hill campuses enjoyed a fun-filled Science incursion led by Mrs Reid, where they explored the fascinating world of magnets.

Students put their new knowledge into action by using magnets to "catch" Freddo Frogs and discovered how to move a paperclip around a figure-eight track without touching it—simply by guiding it with a magnet underneath the paper plate! The hands-on activities made learning engaging, exciting and memorable.

A big thank you to Mrs Reid for making Science so much fun!

On Monday, Year 3 and 4 students had a wonderful time visiting the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in the city. It was a clear, sunny day, perfect for exploring the beautiful gardens and enjoying the fresh air.

During the visit, students took part in exciting activities with their guides. They learned about native plants such as lemon myrtle and prickly pear and discovered how plants are used in different ways. Students also explored Aboriginal traditions and learned about the arrival of the First Fleet, connecting history, geography and science in a meaningful way.

Last Friday, students in Years 3 and 4 enjoyed an exciting visit from Australian author Andrew Daddo at the Castle Hill Library. Through lively storytelling, humour and engaging anecdotes, Andrew shared how he creates his memorable characters and offered practical tips for getting started when story ideas seem hard to find.

Students also discovered how the way a story is told can capture a reader's imagination and keep them hooked from beginning to end. The session was filled with laughter, creativity and inspiration, leaving everyone eager to read and write more stories. We're sure many students went home excited to share what they learnt and ready to start their own writing adventures.

Year 6 recently attended an excursion to Western Sydney Zoo, where they participated in an engaging educational program focused on animal adaptations. Students also enjoyed hands-on experiences with reptiles, asked thoughtful questions and extended their learning beyond the classroom.

In Science, students have been studying adaptations, while in English they have recently completed an informative text on the same topic. The excursion provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen their understanding and make meaningful connections.

It was a day filled with learning, exploration and enjoyment, creating many memorable experiences for all involved.

Year 7 recently travelled to the Blue Mountains as part of their Geography unit on landforms and landscapes. Despite the chilly weather, students enthusiastically explored the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, taking in the breathtaking views of the iconic Three Sisters.

Throughout the excursion, students used weather instruments to investigate local conditions and explored the region's unique microclimate. The hands-on activities provided valuable real-world learning, helping students deepen their understanding of the geographical concepts studied in the classroom. It was a memorable day of discovery and learning in one of Australia's most spectacular natural environments.

On Wednesday, 11 June, selected students from Years 5 and 6 proudly represented our school at the Adventist Schools Basketball Gala Day.

Adventist schools from across Sydney came together for a fantastic day of friendly competition, teamwork and community spirit. Our students demonstrated outstanding courage, determination and excellent sportsmanship throughout every game.

Year 6 students from Kellyville Campus travelled to Castle Hill Campus as part of their Democracy unit to meet local Member of Parliament, Mark Hodges. During the visit, students heard about his role in the NSW Parliament and what it is like working in government.

They also learned how a bill is created, debated, and passed into law, helping them to better understand how Australia’s democratic system operates in practice. This engaging experience built on their classroom learning and helped bring the topic of democracy to life.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions and take part in discussion, gaining valuable insights into politics, leadership, and civic responsibility.

As part of their study of Applying Chemical Ideas, our Year 12 Chemistry students visited the University of Sydney to participate in a Spectroscopy Skills and Analysis workshop (presented by Kickstart).

This hands-on learning experience allowed students to explore spectroscopy techniques used in real scientific research and industry settings. They also investigated how different types of spectroscopies are used to identify substances, analyse chemical structures and interpret experimental data. The excursion helped to deepen their understanding of key syllabus concepts and strengthened their practical and analytical skills.

Year 11 and Year 12 Legal Studies students recently took part in a highly valuable excursion into the Sydney CBD, providing them with the opportunity to experience the Australian legal system firsthand.

The day began with a visit to NSW Parliament, where students participated in the Legal Studies and the Legislature Program . Through a guided workshop, interactive activities and a tour of Parliament House, students deepened their understanding of the legislative process and how laws are made in practice. A highlight for many was the opportunity to take part in a simulated parliamentary role play, bringing their classroom learning to life.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 11 Peer Support Leaders, who have dedicated their time to supporting our Year 7 students as they transition into high school. Their commitment has helped create a welcoming and supportive environment through engaging teamwork and "get to know you" activities, while building resilience, confidence and meaningful peer connections.

If you haven’t already submitted an enrolment application for siblings who will be starting in the 2027 school year, please note that the application deadline has now passed. Any new applications received will be placed in a waiting pool for the respective year of entry.

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

This year's Book Week will commence with our annual Book Character Parade, which will be held at our Kellyville campus on Friday, 21 August, from 9:30am to 11:00am.

The parade is always a highlight for our younger students and a wonderful opportunity to see favourite book characters come to life in a celebration of stories, creativity and imagination.

All K–6 students across our Kellyville and Castle Hill campuses are invited to dress up and participate in the parade. Parents are also warmly welcome to attend—and even dress up—for the occasion.

We're excited to share that the Extend Squad Winter Holiday Program is now open for bookings at our College!

Families already registered with Extend should have received booking information directly. If you haven't registered yet, now is the perfect time to secure your child's place before sessions fill up.

The program offers children a fun, safe and engaging holiday experience with a variety of exciting activities planned throughout the break.

Families can book directly through Extend. We encourage early bookings to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the after-school care service provided at our College, please visit our website: After School Care - Hills Adventist College .

We kindly remind families that students should not be dropped off before 8:00am, as supervision is not available prior to this time. The only exception is for students connecting with a College bus service.

At Kellyville, all students are expected to be at school by 8:25am to allow time to settle, organise materials and line up ready for classes to begin at 8:30am. Students arriving after 8:25am must go through the front office to collect a late note.

Students at our Castle Hill campus are expected to arrive at school by 8:45am, with classes commencing at 8:50am.

Being on time supports student wellbeing and helps develop positive social skills such as responsibility and organisation.

We're excited to introduce ePlatform, now available to all students in Years 7–12. This new digital library provides access to a shared collection of eBooks and audiobooks, supporting both learning and reading for pleasure.

Students can easily access ePlatform using their Single Sign‑On via the SEQTA homepage, by selecting 'ePlatform Digital Library' . We encourage students to explore this new resource and enjoy reading anytime, anywhere.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Planning for staffing and resource allocation is now in progress as we prepare for the 2027 school year.

We want to remind families that, in line with the College's enrolment policy, one term's notice is required for any student withdrawal. If your child will not be returning to Hills Adventist College in 2027, please inform the College Registrar by completing the following withdrawal notice before Term 4 where possible: Notice of Withdrawal

No action is required if your child is continuing enrolment next year, has already completed a Notice of Withdrawal form confirmed by College Administration, or is completing Year 12 in 2026.

Additional information can be found in the College's Enrolment Policy: 2026 Enrolment Conditions

Thank you for your continued partnership with Hills Adventist College. We're excited to support your child's learning journey in the upcoming school year.

Alpha is a friendly space to explore the Christian faith and ask life's big questions. No pressure, no judgment—just good conversation, new friendships and an opportunity to discover more about Jesus and the Bible.

Join us on Monday evenings from 7:00pm–9:00pm, beginning 3 August and running through 21 September. Each evening includes a free meal, a short talk and open discussion.

You're welcome to come along, check it out and see what you think. If Alpha isn't for you, there's absolutely no obligation to continue.

Everyone is welcome.

Please register using this link if you are interested in coming along so we can cater for you.

Come and watch the deciding match of State of Origin on the big screen!

Kellyville church is hosting a family-friendly event (alcohol free) to enjoy the big game. On 8 July, we'll have a free sausage sizzle from 7:30pm with kick off starting at 8:05pm.

We can't wait to see you there!

Kellyville Church are hosting a family Movie Night!

On 4 July at 5:00pm, we will be gathering together at the church building to watch Wall-E . We will have popcorn and other free snacks and all ages are welcome. Feel free to bring along a pillow and blanket.

We can't wait to see you there!

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we wrap up Term 2, the Home & School Association warmly invites you to our Family Fun Day!

🎉 Event Details

When: Sunday, 2 August, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Kellyville Campus
Cost: Free
Book: https://www.trybooking.com/DNPEC
Highlights: LEGO exhibition & competition, international food stalls, Amazing Race Around the World (with cash prizes), and more!

This will be our biggest community event of the year and a great way to kick off Term 3 together.