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Nau Mai Haere Mai Ki Te Kura o Hillside

Welcome to Hillside School

Nestled on the hill in the rural township of Browns, just 9 kilometres from Winton in Southland, Hillside Primary School enjoys a stunning outlook across farmland towards Otapiri Gorge and the Hokonui Hills. Our unique setting provides a peaceful and spacious environment where children can learn, grow and thrive, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Southland landscape.

Hillside is a full primary school catering for students from Years 1 to 8. Our two classrooms provide focused learning environments for Years 1–4 and Years 5–8, supported by a well-resourced library in our third learning space. As a small rural school, we are proud of our strong family atmosphere, where every child is known and valued. Our small class sizes allow us to personalise learning, respond to individual needs, and nurture each student’s pathway.

We are committed to preparing our learners for life in a global and ever-changing world. We hold high expectations for our students and work closely with whānau and our wider community to ensure learning reflects shared values, priorities and aspirations. Our students are also fortunate to have access to 1:1 devices, supporting digital fluency and enhancing learning opportunities.

At Hillside Primary School, community connection, personalised learning and high expectations combine to create a place where children truly thrive.

We warmly welcome visitors to come and experience the Hillside difference for themselves. We welcome your questions and look forward to having you become part of our Hillside whānau.

Sarah Wilson

Principal

What's happening at Hillside Primary School?

Latest Notices

No Assembly Today

28 Aug 2026

There will be no assembly today as we will be heading back from Polyfest. After all the hard work and excitement, students might even use that time to indulge in a little treat to celebrate!

Polyfest Tomorrow

27 Aug 2026

Evening all,

Just a reminder that Polyfest is tomorrow! This means we will be off the school site for most of the day. A reminder of the following:

Students are to come to school in their school uniform.
Please bring a packed lunch, there will be no access to heat-ups.
Girls are to bring a hairbrush as their hair will be done at school in the morning.
We will leave Hillside at 10:10am and head to Invercargill ILT Stadium.
We will watch some of the performances before having lunch and getting ready for our performance.
Hillside is on stage at 12:40pm.
We will depart the Stadium at approximately 1:15pm and will be back at school in plenty of time for the afternoon bus.

It is going to be a fantastic day, and we are really looking forward to seeing our students take the stage and represent Hillside!

Non Uniform Day Tomorrow

26 Aug 2026

Hi all,

A reminder that tomorrow is Non-Uniform Day as we are holding an early Daffodil Day at school in support of the Cancer Society.

We ask students to bring a gold coin donation. I will personally match whatever we raise, dollar for dollar, and the total will be donated to the Cancer Society.

Thank you for helping us support such an important cause.

Let’s brighten up the school tomorrow and show our support!

Thanks,

Sarah

Term 3 - Week 6

23 Aug 2026

Good morning,

Fingers crossed you are all keeping warm and safe on this very wintery Sunday! I’m hoping the thick white covering that we have on the coast has bypassed you!

I hope everyone is ready for another busy week at Hillside. There is plenty happening, so please take a moment to read through the updates below so you know what’s coming up.

Week 6:

Tuesday 25th August:

Whole school is off to the Central Southland Production - 'Beauty and the beast.'
School kai together lunch - pulled pork buns

Thursday 27th August:

Daffodil Day - Wear something yellow if student have it - no uniform, gold coin donation.

Friday 28th August:

Polyfest - Whole school travelling on the bus together, departing school at 10:10am and arriving back just after 2pm. Perfomance is at 12:40pm at Stadium Southland.
No assembly

Looking ahead:

Wednesday 2nd September - Technology Challenge in Waianiwa - two senior teams.

A reminder to return those production permission slips, Polyfest forms, and the School Values and Direction surveys.

Hopefully you all have a wonderful Sunday afternoon and keep warm.

Sarah :)

Term 4 - Week 5

16 Aug 2026

Good afternoon,

Another weekly update, I feel these seem to be coming along faster as the year progresses. I hope you are all managing to soak up some of those great sunrays outside this weekend.

Week 5:

Monday 17th August:

We welcome Susan, our new teacher aide.

Tuesday 18th August:

Whole school lunch together. Lunch this week: Nachos, a slice (made by students) and some fruit.

Wednesday 19th August:

Round 2 Speech competition held at Hillside in our library. Year 5 and 6 students start at 10am. Year 7 and 8 students start at 11:15pm. Good luck to Esme and Lance who are representing us.

Friday 21st August:

Bible in Schools at 1:25pm
Assembly at 2:30pm in the library.

Looking forward to Week 6:

Tuesday 25th August - CSC Production Dress Rehearsal at CSC for the whole school at 11am. (permission slips out this week)
Thursday 27th August - Early Daffodil Day - dress as yellow and a gold coin donation for the cancer society.
Friday 28th August - Polyfest performance at 12:40pm. This will be most of the day in town. - We have a couple of seats on the bus for adults, please let us know if you wish to join us on the bus.

Hopefully you all have a wonderful Sunday afternoon,

Sarah

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