New Prefect Body in the house!

A new year has begun and a new prefect body has been appointed. What an exciting achievement for the new 2013-2014 year!! First off, I'd like to give a big congrats to all the IB1 students who have been appointed prefects, and to encourage those who didn't get appointed just yet, to work for it in the future.

Since the prefect body is so large this year, as it is every year, because the students at hillel are such role models in society today, I'll just list off the new Head Prefects and Senior Prefects of 2013. Our new Head Girl is Alexandria Baugh, the Head Boy is Jacob Zacca. For our deputies we have the Hillelian's co-founder, Alysia Francis, and Jacob Adam. Our Senior Prefects are Megan Wong, Jodi Chung, Kathrina Dabdoub, Dominique Webster, Matthew Harrison and Charles Tufton.

On behalf of the entire prefect body, the head prefects were interviewed about their reactions towards their appointment as prefects, their goals and pending projects for their term at Hillel! I'm sure, just like every other Prefect body, they'll make it worth the school's while:

1. How do you feel as the head prefects for the 2013-2014 terms?

We all definitely feel a sense of enthusiasm and excitement for what we, alongside the prefect body, will to be able do in the near future. We really couldn't have asked for better people to work with as Head Prefects, or a better Prefect Body for us to lead. We all share a genuine desire to better the school and leave our mark on Hillel as best as we can, so right now we all, the entire prefect body, are just going full speed ahead, and it's very exciting.

2. How has the prefect, student and staff bodies responded to you as the heads?

The most overwhelming support that we've gotten so far has definitely been from the teachers. We have their full support and simply couldn't have hoped for a better response. Everyone in Grade 12 is very supportive of one another so all our friends, both on the Prefect Body and off have been very lovely and supportive, as they are to any and everyone. 

3. As the Heads of the student body what are your goals for the upcoming year? What do you want to accomplish?

As the Prefect Body, we know that our job is to ensure that the school is running properly - we are supposed to be the enforcers of discipline. However, in a meeting that we had with Mr. Holmes, he told us that he had yet to see a Prefect Body with a project that could uplift the school, or raise awareness for something, or just generally leave a proper mark on the school in that way. So, that's our goal as Prefects for the next year - we want to do something impactful.

4. What are the recent happenings among prefects - are there any projects you want to take on or are in the process of organising?

We have been throwing around ideas and trying to settle on one that the whole body can agree is perfect for us. One of the most prominent has been to have fitness rallies and various fundraisers surrounding mental, physical and emotional health, with the proceeds going towards either building a gym for the school, or to donate to a charity that has the same basic theme. However, nothing is final yet. We're definitely still brainstorming.

Doesn't it sound like they have some serious plans for the near future? Good luck once again to all of you, and congratulations! I can't wait to see the mark you all leave at Hillel, and if you do concretize your gym idea I will be eternally jealous that I wouldn't have been there to milk the facilities! :-)

Brooke

Have you been looking? Well keep searching... It's Grade 12.3's CAS Project!

MARCH 1st.

After School. Fly solo, or work in team to find the treasure at the end of... 

THE SCAVENGER HUNT

Brought to you by Grade 12.3! 

Sickle Cell Walkathon!

As you know, grade 10 and 13-1 held the first walkathon ever for a CAS project, on February 9th.

We didn’t pick this project randomly. From grade 7, we've watched and supported our fellow classmate,  Nialli Meeks who is now in grade 10, battle this sickness. So collectively the Grade 10 and 13 students thought we would dedicate this year’s CAS project to her as she courageously battles this life long illness and to everyone else in this country who struggles daily with the symptoms.

For about 3 weeks students from all grades worked hard going to family, friends and neighbors to get sponsorship and participants for the day. While some of us could barely do 5 laps, the rare few were clocking 30+ laps!

And in the end, we raised a grand total of almost $400,000, which is 62% more than our goal! All the money was presented to Dr. King from the Mona Sickle Cell Center during this week’s assembly, to purchase equipment that will improve the care for those who suffer with sickle cell disease.

Grade 10's form teacher, Mrs. Cuthbert, and Dr. King

Handing over the check! 

The walkathon had an amazing turnout!

Thanks to everyone who supported!

Isabelle Hamilton 

Meet your Student Council President candidates!

Before I start, I just want to apologise in advance to Kathrina and Megan because when I was recording your speeches the camera cut off and I had to change do a battery pull and restart, so I'm sorry that I didn't catch your speeches in their entirety.

In alphabetical order:
1. Jodi - Ann Chung
2. Kathrina Dabdoub
3. Julia Foote
4. Megan Wong

I contemplated being cute and typing in all the names of our candidates on urban dictionary and using what I found in describing them all...but then I realised that was stupid.

Anyway, let's begin now shall we?

First up! Jodi - Ann Chung! Seventeen year old first year IB student, who has been a member of the student council for six consecutive years, serving as both the Secretary and the Vice President.

Jodi's Campaign Video!

Next up is Ms. Kathrina Dabdoub! Eighteen year old first year IB student, who has also definitely served her time in student council, 4 or 5 years on the council as well I believe!

Our third candidate is Julia Foote! Coming from Immaculate, Julia is a new addition to our Hillel family  and has gelled well with her first year IB grade and the entire school, and has definitely made her mark in this competition with her short and spicy speech!

  

Last, but definitely not least, we have Megan Wong! This bubbly first year IB student has been here since what? What's it called? Registration? Basically she's been at Hillel from day one and even though she is new to the council, she's not new to the compound or the student body and faculty.

So now that you've read this little synopsis, watched the videos (apologies again Megan and Kathrina), seen the campaign flyers etc...
Are you gonna put your best 'Foote' forward and vote for Julia Foote? Are you gonna choose 'Chung for Change' and vote for Jodi-Ann Chung? Wait, I moustache you another question though? Are you gonna vote for Kathrina Dabdoub? But then again, you know you can't go wrong with Megan Wong!

So who's it gonna be? The countdown begins: 3 days left 'til the winner is revealed!

Best of luck to all the candidates!

Alysia

INTER-HOUSE FOOTBALL: Day 3

Arguably one of the most pulsating inter-house football matches took centre stage as the Flawless Maccabees took on the clinical Sinai in the decider for the Interhouse Football Crown. Prior to the game, Maccabees sat on 6 points from their 2 games while Sinai had 4 points from their 2 games. The equation was simple, if Sinai beats Maccabees, they would win the Upper School Interhouse Football Tournament for the 2nd time in succession. If they had tied or lost the game, Maccabees would claim their hands on the title they had not won since 2009.

So who would it be? The assiduous Maccabeasts, or the expeditious and dynamic Sinai unit?
The game became a mouth-watering affair as of the Starting 8 players that both teams fielded Maccabees fielded 6 players who represented Hillel in the JISA U-19 Private School Competition (Joshua Karram, Simon Preston, Brandon Heitman, Sage Marley-Spence, Charles Tufton, Zachary Jones), While Sinai fielded 7 players who represented Hillel in the same tournament (Christian Benjamin, Andrew-David Gunter, Jacob Adam, Adam Hylton, Jevon Warner, Bradley Chen-See, William-Chase Ashley), so it was bound to be a competitive affair. In the fixture last year, Sinai beat Maccabees 4-1 on their way to clinch the crown; Maccabees knew they have to put away the bad memories with an encouraging display.

The game started as Sinai made their intentions known from early to get on the scoresheet as the put together a spell of short quick passes together, however once they got into the Maccabees box, Sports Captain Joshua Karram cleared the danger with a thumping header. Maccabees played a quite unorthodox approach as they kept possession through long range and made it clear to give the ball to two of their danger men 5’11 inch striker Charles Tufton and 5’8 inch striker Sage Marley-Spence.

Maccabees almost put themselves in a dangerous situation as a mix up in play allowed Warner of Sinai to shoot with acres of space in front of him. He hit the post and Maccabees breathed a sigh of relief. A vivacious build up from Andrew-David Gunter allowed Sinai to step on the ascendancy as his acute passes put Maccabees central defenders Simon Preston and Joshua Karram under a little bit of pressure but due to their composure and their cohesion in the heart of the Maccabees defense, Maccabees cleared the danger and went in at half-time locked at 0-0. Maccabees knew they were 20 minutes away from the title, however they knew they could not afford to sit back and play deep as Sinai would exploit them.

The 2nd half started how the 1st half ended, with Sinai in domination of possession and could have gotten a break through as through a rough tackle from Simon Preston, Maccabees were down to 7 players for 2 minutes and Sinai had the opportunity to take the lead with a man advantage.  However a sturdy clearance off the line kept Maccabees in business.
Due to sneakiness from the Sinai unit, William-Chase Ashley had the opportunity to put Sinai up 1-0 but Brandon Heitman made a brilliant save to keep things equal. Sinai turned up the tenacity levels as Adam Hylton pulled the trigger from his trademark long range shots but the shot was blocked by Simon Preston.

With Maccabees in possession from that blocked shot, Sage Marley-Spence went on the counter and was fouled right outside the box. It was an opportunity for Maccabees to put some salt in the wounds of Sinai and they did. A venomous freekick from Sage put Maccabees up 1-0 and gave Maccabees one hand on the trophy as the final whistle was fast approaching.
Sinai was in a grim mood after the goal and they started to push as they knew they needed 2 goals in the remaining 3 minutes.  A lapse in concentration from the Maccabees defense gave Sinai the equalizing goal and the crowd got wild. Maccabees had their head down but they knew the final whistle was close.

The whistle blew and Maccabees became Champions of the Interhouse Upper School Tournament. This was Maccabees’ first title since 2009 and they relished the success.

Standings 2013

Maccabees – 7 points

Sinai – 5 points

Masada – 4 Points

Carmel – 0 points

Golden Boot – Top Scorer

Charles Tufton – 6 Goals

MVP of Tournament

Sage Marley Spence

Golden Glove – Least Goals Conceded

Brandon Heitmann

Simon Preston

INTER-HOUSE FOOTBALL: Day 2

Junior Sinai continues to blow the competition away with a 4-1 over Maccabees. McMaster continues to impress with fine displays for his young team. He is certainly one for the future, we have high hopes for this young one.

Masada’s juniors are having a turbulent time in this competition losing, 3-1 to junior Carmel who has been outclassing their competition so far. This is an outrageously talented squad and surely they have not disappointed any of their supporters.

Masada lost 3-1 to an in-form Maccabees squad. A goal from Marley opened the scoring then an equalizer from Mairnaldo made it all square at the break. A cheap foul was awarded at the edge of the box which allowed Marley to get his second goal of the match and is now top scorer in the tournament. A late goal sealed it for Maccabees when an unaware Masada squad was caught flat footed after a quick restart in play. 

Much controversy surrounds this match as the Masada squad felt they were not awarded the sufficient amount of time after a lack of footballs delayed the match for several precious minutes. We were unaware that this time was not given back to us until the referee blew the final whistle soon after the ball was kicked off again and Maccabees scored their 3^rd goal.

Things keep on getting worse and worse for the struggling Senior Carmel squad as Sinai smashed home 6 goals passed them. All hope is lost for Carmel with a -15 goal difference and they still remain on 0 points. They face Masada tomorrow where they will only have to play for their pride as they have no hope of acquiring a medal awarded to the 1^st and 2^nd teams in the group. 

It will be tough for them tomorrow as Masada will be looking to win this match after suffering their defeat to the buzzing Maccabees that seems unstoppable at the moment.

Matthew Harrison

INTER-HOUSE FOOTBALL: Day 1

A pulsating match between the junior Masada squad and the firing Sinai resulted in a 2-1 scoreline. Most of the match was even key at 1-1 until Sinai scored the winner 5 minutes before time to a shell shocked Masada squad who found it difficult to form any sort of a fight back. It was unlucky for the boys but a great result for Sinai. In the other match Carmel beat Maccabees 3-1 with goals superbly taken by the players. It was an easy match for Carmel who simply walked over their opponents.

In the Upper School however, Maccabees annihilated Carmel scoring 10 goals one of which was a classy finish by the boy they call Marley who added another 3 to his tally. The other scorer was Tufton who scored 5 goals. Carmel started the fight back late by grabbing a late consolation goal but it brought nothing to ease the pain of the players that were distraught by the abysmal scoreline. If Carmel has any hopes of at least competing in this competition they have to put this scoreline behind them and go out there with more fighting spirit.

In the next match of the day, roaring Masada came out firing from the start of the game, grabbing 2 goals in quick succession. Sinai had something to say about that! They quickly responded and took one back. The players continued to pepper the Masada goal as their weakness was evident with an inexperienced goalkeeper. They finally got the breakthrough just before the end of the half due to a fine piece of midfield play which led to the goal.

At the start of the second half Sinai came out flying by firing home 2 goals and it seemed all hope was lost for Masada. They tried endlessly taking shot after shot until finally, a bit of flare from Masada's midfielder, O’Brien made them get back in the game at 4-3, dribbling majestically through the field and rocketed it into the bottom corner of the net. Masada continued to press along searching for the equalizer and seconds before the end of the game a Sinai player was dispossessed and Masada pounced on the chance which would be the last kick of the game. It took a perfectly placed through ball which split the heart of the strong Sinai defense that gave way for the in-form striker Isaac ‘Mairnaldo’ Mair to score the equalizer right at the death and complete his hat-trick. The game ended 4-4, showing the resilience of the Masada team who were counted out before the game. Their fighting spirit was evident throughout the game it will be difficult to beat them.

After an incredible day of proceedings it was a brilliant game of football overall and we are all looking forward to what the next day will bring. This has been a glorious start for the boys’ inter-house competition. It was everything we expected and more. Let's hope the other days will be equally as exciting.

Matthew Harrison