Spring Is in the Air!

As we approach the Mid-Term Break, I am reminded that this is a very holy time of the year for a number of the world’s great religions. As well, Spring generally is a time of rebirth and renewal. After a long and cold winter marked by gloomy reports on the state of the world economy, the arrival of Spring brings nature back to life, providing us with a renewed sense of hope and optimism.  In Spring, everything seems to start anew.

The Spring term is particularly active and dynamic for HSC students as they throw themselves into a wide range of co-curricular activities, complete a plethora of major assignments, write Advanced Placement and final examinations, and plan for the year ahead. For our grade 12 students, key decisions will be made as to which university offers they will accept and which programs they will pursue.  To date, our graduating class members have received literally hundred of offers of places, scholarships and awards from a wide range of Ontario and Canadian universities, as well as from American universities including Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Purdue, Illinois, Washington and Davis. 

Indeed, the arrival of Spring reminds us that we have much to be thankful for here at HSC.  Admissions are strong for next year, and I am pleased to report that with the support of our parent community we managed to complete the re-enrolment process efficiently and effectively, and more students have been re-enrolled for next year than in previous years. Our Excelsior Annual Giving Campaign is enjoying unprecedented levels of participation, and the silent phase of the Transformation HSC Capital Campaign continues to encounter great success, thereby bringing ever closer the date when the shovel will go into the ground for our new Senior School and College-wide Athletic Complex.

In closing, I wish all of our students and their families, as well as our faculty, staff and other members of the HSC community, a wonderful long weekend.  Let’s hope for good weather as Spring continues its process of renewing our world.

Warmest regards,

Dr. Tom Matthews
Headmaster       

The Fashion District Hamilton United Show this year was a huge Success!

Lights, camera, action! HSC students thrilled audiences, this past weekend, with two sold-out spectacular runway fashion shows in support of local inner city children. The Fashion District Hamilton United show is a student-led fundraising initiative which fosters leadership, organizational and networking skills. The show featured HSC students as models previewing the hottest fashion trends for Spring/Summer 2009 and raised a combined total of $14,000.

Darrel Skidmore, CEO of Hamilton United Way and Laura Troccoli-Ormond from the Pinky Lewis Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre were on hand to accept the cheques and to convey the heartfelt thanks of the youngsters who will benefit from this donation. READ MORE

Catch the buzz and BEE prepared for a sweet Fair Day
Saturday, May 23, 2009

Calling All Worker Bees
If there was ever a day for parents to help out and have fun, it’s Fair Day. We need you! Parent Volunteers are needed to help with Games, the BBQ, Book Sale, Kids’ Crafts and Penny Sale. Volunteers are also needed for set-up and clean-up (A job that must BEE done, and we’ll love you for it!).

If you are interested in volunteering or for more information, please contact Diane Selby at 905-854-0522 or by e-mail at selbydi@hsc.on.ca or click here to download the volunteer form.

It’s time for the busy bees to start collecting for Penny Sale
Penny Sale is a success BEEcause of the wonderful new items that parents donate. If you are not sure what to purchase, then think like a child when you enter a store! The fairy costume that an adult might consider frivolous is something that your inner child knows you would love…same goes for stuffed animals, water canons, and sparkly purses. Thinking like a teenager works too. They love sports paraphernalia, grooming items, and DVDs.

This year we are opening the Penny Sale to adult items, and would welcome donations that children might give as gifts to a parent, grandparent, or teacher.

All Penny Sale donations are eligible for a charitable donation receipt. Attach your original receipt to the Donation Form, available in an electronic copy at www.hsc.on.cs/parentsassocaition/fairday. Please deliver the completed form to the Main Office, marked Fair Day. 
For additional information contact Karen Price 905-383-1333 or k.price@sympatico.ca or Debbie Demers at 905-332-9007 or ddemers5@cogeco.ca.

HSC alumnus, Matthew Gray-Smith ’08 earns place on Dean’s List at BerkleeCollege of Music

Matthew Gray-Smith ’08 has earned placement on the Dean’s List for the fall semester of the 2008 academic year at Berklee College of Music. To be eligible for this honour, a full-time student must achieve a grade point average of 3.4 or above. Matthew is studying for a degree in Jazz Performance. “Matthew could not have accomplished this achievement without the encouragement and education of Dr. Burton and the school’s community”, said Matthew’s parents, Carol Gray and Brian Smith.

Berklee College is a renowned international music post-secondary school located in Boston, Massachusetts. Famous alumni musicians who have studied and have been associated with Berklee include Diana Krall, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, John Mayer and many others.
Click here to read the complete press release.

For more information on Berklee College of Music, please visit: www.berklee.edu.

"The Tribute Program allows our family to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of a particular individual at the school who has made a difference in our lives, while at the same time helping the entire community of HSC.  Providing the best possible learning experience for our children is what we admire most about HSC and this is our inspiration for giving back."

Gene and Hoda Kayal

HSC Tribute Program – Meaningful for All Occasions

The HSC Tribute Program allows you to make a lasting tribute to celebrate an individual, a special occasion or as a memorial.  Your gift will not only help to enhance programs and strengthen the HSC community, but is a meaningful way to remember or honour a special person in your life.

The person you designate will receive a card announcing your special gift in their honour.  If your gift is in memory of a friend or loved one, a card will be sent to the family.  All gift amounts are confidential and you will receive a tax receipt for your records.

Click here to download an HSC Tribute Program Card.  Contact Kim Shippey, Advancement Manager 905-389-1367, ext. 107 or e- mail kim.shippey@hsc.on.ca for more information.

Good News about COWS

HSC is now home to a virtual farm of COWS (computers laptops on wheels). The $148,084 that the Parents’ Association raised in 2007-2008 had increased buying power when Brenda Zwolak and Brad D'Hondt examined the range of purchases that the school needed to make. They were able to buy 5.5 COWS (5 cows and a calf) which added 110 laptops to the existing herd. The remaining funds purchased 4 new SMARTboard systems and 6 new SMARTboards.

Bonnie Lendrum, past president noted that “Our goal with last year’s fundraising was to purchase the technology that would help build 21st century skills.  Thanks to the wonderful partnerships within the school and with our suppliers, we exceeded our expectations!”

Of the $148,084, raised by the Parents’ Association in 2007-2008, $14, 809 was directed to the Endowment Fund and $133, 275 was directed to technology purchases. Most schools offer ing the level of technology that HSC provides charge extra technology fees.  HSC parents have avoided such a levy through successful fundraising.

Come Join the HSC Parents’ Association Representative Committee

Each spring, the Parents’ Association seeks nominations to prepare a slate of Officers and Representatives for the following school year. 

The purpose of the Parents’ Association is to provide support to enhance the learning environment and community of Hillfield Strathallan College.  All parents and guardians of current students are members of the Parents’ Association.  The forum where community events are planned, implemented and evaluated is the Representative Committee. These events include Winterfest, On-line Auction (introduced in 2009), February Event, Fair Day and the June Luncheon/Fashion Show, and a Gala (2008). The Representative Committee meets the first Thursday of most months at the school. 

If you can commit to a monthly meeting and assisting at Winterfest and Fair Day, the Representative Committee welcomes your membership as a voting member and volunteer. If you cannot commit to a monthly meeting but still wish to be involved in the community events we still welcome your contribution as a volunteer.

Nominations will be accepted until May 29, 2009.  Nominate yourself and/or another parent, by completing the form and return it to the College’s Main Office. (Nominations received after May 29th may not be published in the summer mailings, but will be included in fall communiqués.) We welcome new members to the Representative Committee.

If you would like more information, please contact bonnie.lendrum@hsc.on.ca 

Sincerely,

Bonnie Lendrum
Parents’ Association, Nominating Chair, 2009

Hamilton Mountain Community Safety Forum

The Hamilton Police Service in partnership with HSC, and Councillors Tom Jackson, Scott Duvall and Terry Whitehead and the Hamilton Police Services Board are hosting a community safety forum for the residents of Hamilton Mountain (Wards 6, 7 & 8) to get input on policing policies for the new three-year business plan.

The forum will take place on Monday, April 27, 2009 at HSC beginning at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to attended, pre-registration is not required. For those who are unable to attend as well as those who want to remain anonymous, please use the new e-community blog on www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca to provide input. Click here for additional information.

College Ring

The Campus Store is now featuring our College Ring. It is available by order only at the Campus Store. Please drop by and see us regarding sizing and orders and to see our sample. These rings are available in Sterling Silver, 10K gold, and 14k gold.