Year 8 Engineering Challenge

A group of year 8 students took on the IET Faraday Engineering Challenge at Aston University on

Thursday 14th May. They were against five other teams from schools across the West Midlands on the

80th day of the challenge. They took on different roles from accountant and project manager to

electronic and 3D design engineers.

Throughout the day they had to design a beacon for cyclists on the road, produce a 3D design on the

laptop and print it on the 3D printers then assemble their electronics to ensure their beacon worked

before presenting it to the room and panel of judges. Below are some photos of the girls working hard.

Please congratulate them if you see them in school; Myrah, Alisha, Najma, Tyanne, Shahd, and Amnah.

Miss H. Herbert

Issue 94 - May 2015

Physical Education News In the Spotlight – Annabelle, Year 8

Congratulations to Annabelle who has completed stage one of the windsurfing course.

Annabelle completed the course in some extreme conditions pushing her to the end of

the programme to achieve a level one award. Annabelle is now working towards her

level two award with great confidence and enthusiasm; we wish her continued success.

Annabelle said ‘I am very pleased that I finished my stage one. I was awarded with a

certificate and a small award. I have to rig my sail and learn how to balance my board. I

learnt how to turn 180 degrees using the nose or the tail of the board. I travel to

Weymouth where I practice and complete my stages in windsurfing and I cannot wait

until I complete stage two’.

Hillcrest Primary Netball Tournament

This term Hillcrest School hosted a Level 2 School Games primary netball competition.

We had entries from Princethorpe, Harborne, St Marys R.C., Bournville and Northfield

Manor. The competition was very close and there was some outstanding play from all

teams.

Congratulations go to the Runners-up this year, Bournville Junior School and the

winning team Princethorpe Junior School, who didn’t lose a match all afternoon.

Well done to all the primary schools who took part. It was an enjoyable afternoon for

everyone involved.

Year 11 Physical Education

Well done to all Year 11 students who have embraced and tried some different

activities over the last half term including Zumba, Cheer leading, Vigor boarding and

Reboundz. We hope that you continue with sport and exercise in your next stages of

education.

Now that your P.E. lessons are coming to an end, we would welcome any donations of

P.E. kit. If you would like to donate your P.E kit to the department please see a member

of P.E. staff.

Year 7 Inter Form Rounder’s Competition

Congratulations to all the students who took part in the rounders competition. I was

very impressed with the quality of batting throughout the event. In third place were 7R,

second place 7M and in first place, after winning all of their games were 7W.

Congratulations to 7W!

Football coaching with Remi Allen – Birmingham City Ladies Football player

We would like to say a big well done to all the students that have been attending

Remi’s coaching sessions. Your consistent and determined approach has seen marked

improvements in skill levels. Miss L. Taylor has some games arranged for you over the

summer term to put your new skills into action!

Basketball coaching with Carole Brown – Bournville Bears Basketball club

Again I would like to say a big well done to all the students who have been attending

the training sessions each week. Your commitment to the club is a credit to your

character.

There are two opportunities for basketball players coming up on the 23rd May.

The City of Birmingham Basketball club is running trials for the 2015/2016 season

which are free for anyone who is interested to attend. They take place at Nechells

Sports Centre. Information is available from P.E. staff.

There is also a basketball event at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School on the same date -

please see P.E. staff for details.

Miss L. Taylor

Calling all Year 9, 10 and 12 students, parents and carers!

Are you thinking about the future and considering university? Hillcrest School is working with The

Brilliant Club, a charity that aims to widen access to university, to host an evening called 'ThinkUni'

in late June/early July and we would like to invite you to attend.

‘ThinkUni’ is all about getting more information about university, and talking about it with your child.

This will help to make better and more informed choices; both as your child approaches

A-Levels and when they think about making their university applications.

The evening will start with a presentation from The Brilliant Club about the next steps towards

university for each year group. Dr Anil Awesti, a PhD researcher, who will be working on a project

with some of our Year 12 students this term will then give a mini lecture on his topic of Politics and

International Relations, delivered exactly as though it were the students’ very first day at university.

He is an academic at the University of Warwick, where he teaches second year students.

We will then run a Question and Answer panel, where you can ask The Brilliant Club all your

questions about university and what it means for your child and your family. This can include

anything and everything, from subject choices to finances, amount of work expected or lifestyle.

There will be the opportunity to submit your questions in advance.

As soon as we have confirmed a date for the evening with The Brilliant Club, I will write to all

parents/carers inviting them to attend. I hope you will take advantage of this excellent opportunity.

Mr Abbotts

Deputy Headteacher / Head of Sixth Form

Year 10 Botanical Gardens Trip On Tuesday 28th April, 15 of the current Year 10 geographers were invited to take part in a

range of ‘Be Outdoors!’ workshops at The

Botanical Gardens, Birmingham. The girls

had a great time taking part in a variety of

activities! The day started with a ‘Plant

Hunters’ workshop where the girls had to

hunt for plants such as Aloe Vera, chocolate

and sugar, all of which are really important

in our everyday lives (especially the

chocolate)! This was followed by a planting

and potting workshop where the Year 10s

went up against another school to complete as many pots as possible. Of course, we won!

The students also potted their own plant, which

they took home after the workshop. The girls

went on to create their very own ‘bug

hotels’ (which they very expertly measured and

cut) and hung them from the trees in Botanical

Gardens to provide a hiding place for creepy

crawlies from all those nasty predators! Some of

the girls brought their ‘bug hotels’ back to school

to place around the grounds. The day ended with

a walk around Botanical Gardens learning

about notable people who have all made

fabulous contributions towards the world of

botany. The Year 10s had a great time,

which was reflected in many of them

asking the staff at The Botanical Gardens

for everything from work experience to a

full time job!

Miss Gill and Mr Turley

Geography

The National Foreign Language Spelling Bee 2015

Despite the fact that Duha drew the short straw and was the first contestant to compete in front

of hundreds of teachers and students in the regional final of the Foreign Language National

Spelling Bee Competition on Wednesday 15th April at Aston University, Duha’s performance was

commendable. Helen, Martina, Sana, and Duha had to learn to spell 150 words in French,

including accents and punctuation.

Shaciara, Shian, and Afnan, prepared Hillcrest banners and supported our four participants

enthusiastically. Myrah and Alisha from Year 8, did a superb job of mentoring and supporting

Duha, Helen, Martina and Sana.

It was an enriching experience for all the students and Hillcrest school is proud of their efforts.

Mrs A. Robinson

Duha and Helen, Year 7

News from the Sixth Form @ Hillcrest

Launch of the Year 12 Scholars Programme

Eight students in Year 12 have been selected to attend the ‘Scholars Programme’, in conjunction with

The Brilliant Club starting in June. The Scholars Programme is an in-school academic programme for

selected students. It is designed to give students exposure to a genuine academic environment and to

experience learning in the style of a university student. Students will work closely with a PhD Tutor, in

a series of small group university-style tutorials to study a ‘super-curricular’ course that explores

topics they may not usually study in the school curriculum. Topics in the past have included Biology,

English, History, Maths and Philosophy. During the tutorials students

will complete readings and assignments that stretch them to work at

one level above their current key stage, including a 2,500 word

university-style final assignment or an equivalent problem set.

The Scholars’ Programme also takes students on two trips to a highly

selective university. This gives students the opportunity to meet current

undergraduates, tour the university and receive information, advice and

guidance from university outreach staff.

All students who submit the assignment at the required level, will

attend a graduation ceremony at a prestigious university in September.

Good luck to all students on the programme.

We have seen an increase in the number of applications from Year 13 to university this year, together

with more students applying to Russell Group Universities (a group of the leading universities in the

country).

My best wishes to all students in meeting their conditional offers!

Year 11 Applications to the Sixth Form – Can students still apply?

YES!

Students can still make an application to join the sixth form. They should see me as soon as possible

to collect an application form. Students would be joining a very successful sixth form which has a

100% pass rate at A Level for the last three years and where student performance is currently

outstanding. Our average grade in BTEC qualifications places the school in the top three schools and

colleges in Birmingham.

Mr Abbotts

Deputy Headteacher / Head of Sixth Form

Year 9 Trip to Barry Island, South Wales

On Wednesday 15th April, 48 of the current Year 9 geographers visited Barry Island to collect

data in support of an investigation they are working on in class.

The visit provided a good opportunity for students to see a headland and a bay and think about

the physical processes involves in their formation.

Students carried out an environment survey they designed for themselves and also asked

questionnaires to people visiting Barry Island.

I was extremely impressed with the way students worked and the visit really helped to

consolidate their understanding of the Coasts module but also developed key geographical

skills which will prove valuable when they begin KS4 Geography later in the year.

We left just enough time to enjoy an ice cream on the beach!

Mr Carson, Mr Turley, Miss Gill, and Mr Foster

A Message from the Headteacher

We are now two weeks into the external and internal examination period and I would

firstly like to congratulate all our students from Year 7 to Year 13 on their approach to

their studies and completing their examinations. You’ve all demonstrated your hard

work, preparation, concentration and your consideration for others during this busy and

often stressful time.

After half term the external examinations for Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 continue until

22nd June. If you need to check any details the full timetable can be found on the school

website. Year 10 internal examinations will take place the week beginning 15th June.

Being successful in exams and tests is a two-step process – believe in yourself and

back it up with plain old hard work.

Just go in there and remember… you’re fantastic!

Best wishes

Ms J. Davies

REMINDER - SCHOOL RE-OPENS ON MONDAY 1ST JUNE 08.45AM

Key Dates

Thursday 4th June

Friday 12th June - Sunday 14th June

W/C 15th June

Wednesday 17th June

Tuesday 22nd June

Thursday 25th June - 19.00

Thursday 25th June

W/C 29th June

Wednesday 1st July

Friday 3rd July

Friday 3rd July

W/C 6th July

Monday 6th July - 09.15am-15.00pm

Tuesday 7th July - 09.15am-15.00pm

Wednesday 8th July

Thursday 9th July

Thursday 9th July

Friday 10th July

W/C 13th July for two weeks

Monday 13th July

W/C 13th July

Tuesday 14th July

Tuesday 14th July

Wednesday 15th July

Thursday 16th July

Monday 20th July

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

DT Design Challenge Day

Blackwell Court Weekend Trip

Year 10 Examination Week

Year 12 Brilliant Club Launch Event

Year 8 Maths & Geography Trip

60th Anniversary Production

Year 12 UCAS Convention

Year 10 & 12 Work Experience

Year 7 Induction Day and Evening

Year 11 GIR Awards Trip

Year 13 Reward Trip

Year 10 & 12 Work Experience

Year 4 & 5 Taster Day

Year 4 & 5 Taster Day

Sports Day Events

KS3 Incentive Scheme Winners Day

Primary Olympics

Sports Afternoon

Australia Trip

KS4 Incentive Scheme Winners Day

Higher Education Apprenticeship Week

Year 9 & 10 Awards Morning

60th Anniversary Event

PSD Day

Year 7 & 8 Awards Morning

Inset Day 5