HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE COLLEGE PROSPECTUS
JEFF DAVIS, PRINCIPAL
A new journey has begun. We are Hillcrest Christian College and we are embarking on an exciting journey. We believe we are a school without peer when it comes to embracing 21st Century education with the unchangeable core values envisioned by our founders 30 years ago. From 2016 we are unveiling our 5-year Strategic Plan; a plan that fuses where we have come from with where we are going. A plan that seeks to provide a worldleading educational learning environment that strives to provide every student with every opportunity to succeed. One that equips our students spiritually and educationally in a college with wonderful sense of community. Over the next five years, Hillcrest will build on its strong brand and reputation by establishing facilities that enable this learning environment to flourish. One that allows our children to grow and develop in a safe learning environment as they prepare to make their own contribution to the world we live in. WE ARE building new state-of-the-art premises to maximise learning opportunities and themed with our spiritual values. WE ARE continuing to build our community under-pinned by our faith. WE ARE equipping and empowering our people to fulfil their potential. WE ARE maximising student opportunities in the power of the new digital learning environment. WE ARE creating a learning structure that reflects innovation, diversity and engagement. WE ARE striving to produce outstanding students who have the confidence and skills to excel in modern society. WE ARE nurturing. WE ARE loving. In 2016, we take Hillcrest Christian College to a new phase, anchored by our commitment to the Great Commission of Christ. “For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.� 1 Corinthians 3:11
HISTORY
Hillcrest Christian College (formerly known as Southern Gold Coast Community School) was founded in 1982 to provide a holistic Christian education to students of the Gold Coast. Hillcrest has grown from its small origins at the Palm Beach Baptist Church and is renowned for its commitment to Christ-centred education and strong sense of community. Hillcrest is a ministry of the Reedy Creek Baptist Church and a member of Christian Schools Australia that provides exceptional educational opportunities for the Gold Coast and Tweed community. Hillcrest Christian College is a Pre-Prep — Year 12 independent co-educational school of approximately 1,190 students located on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
BUILDING FOR 21ST CENTURY LEARNING
Hillcrest is changing the landscape of conventional schooling as it builds an innovative and responsible 21st Century digital learning environment. Significant construction and renovations are taking place across the College with an aim to foster creativity, enhance the inter-connected engagement within groups and allow digital access as part of the daily learning. •
New Kindy & Long Day Care facilities
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New Prep-2 Campus opening 2016
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Renovations to the Junior Learning Community classrooms, playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces
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Renovations to Senior Learning Community classrooms, playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces.
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Microsoft Associate Showcase School
EARLY LEARNING COMMUNITY Kindergarten / Long Day Care
The Early Learning Community is the first stepping stone in your child’s educational journey, and we believe it is our greatest gift to nurture and flourish your child’s learning journey through their early childhood years in our Kindergarten and Long Day Care program. Our Kindy program implements the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines (QKLG) and is developed in reference to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). At the very heart of the Early Years Learning Framework is the view that early childhood is a time when exploring the notions of being, belonging and becoming are essential to the development of identity, cognitive reasoning and wellbeing. Our experienced team of Early Childhood Educators see our role as an extension of your family and know the importance of working in partnership with families to see each child’s potential fulfilled. Children in these early years learn through play; it is the work of childhood. Our Kindergarten curriculum encourages hands on learning, giving each child the thrill of self-discovery. At Hillcrest Christian College Kindy we believe that the foundations laid in the early childhood years are crucial to a child’s development. It is through these foundations children form who they are as individuals. We believe that each child is a unique creation of God and we strive to encourage each child’s spiritual, physical, social and cognitive development to build a strong foundation for successful learning. A comprehensive and holistic Kindergarten Program is an essential part of each child’s learning journey and their future transition to school. Our Kindergarten curriculum creates the framework around which all of the interactions, activities and experiences, both planned and unplanned occur. This ensures that your child is fully prepared in every way possible to transition effectively to the new set of learning objectives in our school environment.
JUNIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY Prep to Year 6
A community of Joy, Learning and Christian focus combining to strive towards “Excellence in Christ”. — Junior Learning Community Student Vision —
The Junior Learning Community lays the educational foundation and provides a safe and caring environment that focuses on the holistic growth of the student socially, emotionally, physically and academically. It knows the importance of knowing your child and developing relationships with your whole family. Every child is unique with the potential to not only succeed in attaining individual goals but also to make a difference in society; using their gifts and abilities to serve God and their community. We believe that children have an immense capacity to learn if their strengths and needs are identified and addressed. The Junior Learning Community provides a supportive learning environment and a balanced curriculum and co-curricular program. Along with core learning areas, all students from Prep to Year 6 have specialised Music, French, Design and Technology and Physical Education lessons. Opportunities are also available to engage in additional programs of Chess, Speech and Drama and other specialised interest areas. Our Gifted and Talented program in the Junior Learning Community consists of two arms; the full-time gifted and talented program and a selection of short courses across the various subject disciplines. Highly and exceptionally gifted students require a substantially different program to the regular curriculum. The full-time gifted and talented program is available for Years 3-6, on a needs basis. Screening for the full-time program begins from the preparatory years as student profiles are formed, and develop further in Years 1 and 2. Our short courses are condensed units of highly engaging work whereby qualifying students, who need extension and enrichment in a particular area of interest or ability, can participate. ‘In the Beginning’ is our new Prep-2 Campus which is under construction and due to open in Term 4, 2016. It consists of twelve state-of-the-art learning spaces in the design of a castle and is complimented by unique age-appropriate playgrounds. The vibrant and flexible learning spaces will encompass both indoor and outdoor areas. Retractable doors, break out spaces and modern furniture and play equipment will build an environment that enhances curiosity and creativity. The location, landscape and chosen built materials will allow students to feel confident and safe, engage in open-ended learning experiences and use their imagination to connect with nature as they would have ‘in the beginning’.
SENIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY Years 7-12
The Senior Learning Community (Years 7-12) is the final phase in the schooling journey. It is a time of significant emotional and physical growth for students and a time when their identity begins to take a more defined form as they approach maturity and adulthood, and grow in integrity, cooperation, respect, confidence, outstanding personal values and a deeper personal faith. Hillcrest Christian College offers students opportunity to explore their personal talents and interests while being well prepared for the rigours of tertiary education and life beyond school. Students are guided through the art of goal setting and meeting the higher expectations of independence, responsibility, self-motivation and self-discipline. At Hillcrest Christian College we offer an extensive range of subject choices and guarantee to offer each subject on the line structure irrespective of the number of students who choose it. This enables students to plan for their Senior Years with certainty. Whether students intend to pursue further study through Overall Position (OP), Rank Pathway, Vocational Education or employment, we provide students with every opportunity to succeed. Students in Years 10 through to 12 are also able to experience the real world through traineeships, school-based apprenticeships and first year university subjects. Hillcrest’s renowned Gifted and Talented Program (Years 7-9) gives students the opportunity to accelerate their learning. The Honours Program (Years 10-12) gives students access to QCAA accredited Honours and Extension Mathematics and English courses, mentoring programs and access to study selected Bond University, University of Queensland, Griffith University and Southern Cross University subjects while in Year 12. Hillcrest Christian College is leading the introduction, trial and preparation of the new assessment format being introduced by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) in 2019. Students in Year 10 in 2017 will get a head start on the new assessment format, preparing them for greater success upon graduation in 2019.
SPORT & CO-CURRICULAR
Participation in the Sport and Co-Curricular program at Hillcrest Christian College is seen as central to the holistic education of its students. This is consistent with the education aims of the College by providing experiences at all levels in a supportive and Christ-centered environment. The program is integrated from Prep through to Year 12 and is solely focused on developing young people to reach their full potential. Students participate in activities both inside and outside the classroom throughout their journey at Hillcrest. The ‘love of sport’ is developed early in the Junior Learning Community, with the house-based culture embedded in the program through broad exposure sports that students engage in. These activities occur both during and after school with specialised coaches and include Netball, Basketball, Tennis, Soccer and Athletics. As students progress through to the upper years of the Junior Learning Community, choice in competitive interschool sport is provided with students engaging in Basketball, Netball, Soccer, Rugby League, Hockey, Oztag, Touch Football and AFL. These opportunities continue into the Senior Learning Community’s interschool sport competition with the addition of Futsal, where a culture of participation is developed for all students. Hillcrest Christian College also provides opportunities for excellence in a variety of contexts. Students displaying individual excellence in a sport can trial to represent the College at both State and National levels through the Hinterland District Sports Association. Individuals may also pursue excellence in Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics, which is underpinned by Hillcrest’s Running and Athletics training programs. Students may also participate in our Basketball Excellence Program where Hillcrest’s teams are regarded as amongst the best in Queensland and Australia. Other opportunities for team-based excellence exist within our Futsal, Netball and Volleyball programs where Hillcrest competes at a State Championship level each year. Our Chess, Debating, Public Speaking, Mooting and Art Club programs complement the academic progress of students while also engaging with the broader community through formal competitions. The Duke of Edinburgh program delivers an opportunity for eligible Senior Learning Community students to engage in Bridge, Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, which expose students to adventurous journeys that challenge them personally, physically and socially. Engagement in the Sport and Co-Curricular Program provides students with one of the key dynamics to develop a well-rounded approach to life-long education. While excellence in sport and co-curricular is the peak of success within its individual context, we believe this success needs to work hand-in-hand with a balanced approach to all areas of education. This philosophy enables students to enjoy success in their natural talent and primary interest, while also casting a broad perspective of all areas of their experience at the College.
PERFORMING ARTS
Hillcrest Christian College Performing Arts is a dynamic department of staff and students, who love what they do. Students at Hillcrest have the opportunity to participate in an exciting variety of curriculum programs and co-curricular activities relating to the Performing Arts areas of Music, Drama, Film and Television and Dance. The Performing Arts facilities at Hillcrest Christian College are state-of-theart consisting of a 260 seat performance theatre with professional sound and lighting, two dance studios equipped with barres and sprung floors, music classrooms with the latest in music teaching technology, a drama blackbox theatre, a film and television room with editing suite, and multiple music practice studios. The Performing Arts program features the Choral Excellence Program, along with numerous band ensembles and orchestras, drama clubs and competition dance teams. Hillcrest’s renowned Choral Program is of international quality featuring 13 choirs, and specialist vocal staff. Recent tours have been to international festivals in South Korea and Hobart. Our Instrumental Program has over 320 musicians from Prep to Year 12. The fully inclusive Year 4, 5 and 6 band and strings programs run as part of the curriculum. Annual College musicals are a highlight of our school calendar with recent productions including Seussical (2016), Jesus Christ Superstar (2015), Wonderland (2014), Fiddler on the Roof (2013) and Les Miserables (2012). Hillcrest’s Dance Academy is run in partnership with the Currumbin Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA) and offers classes in all forms of dance from Kindy to Year 12. Over 250 students are enrolled in this program. Participation in Performing Arts experiences can provide a number of benefits to the individual. As well as being an incredibly enriching experience, recent educational studies have emphasised the benefits that involvement in the Performing Arts can have in facilitating proficiency and achievement in mathematics, reading and cognitive development, and verbal scores and skills for second-language development. All Performing Arts areas improve a student’s ability to collaborate and to apply higher-order thinking skills. Personalised tuition in Music or Speech & Drama can assist in the development of confidence and self-esteem, in addition to the development of specific skills and techniques pertaining to the Performing Art studied. Students also develop a unique way of understanding the world, and at the same time, learn valuable means of self-expression and communication. By becoming involved in a co-curricular ensemble activity, students develop the self-discipline, responsibility and commitment that come with working as part of a team. Of course, one of the most significant reasons for becoming involved in a Performing Arts program is for the immense personal enjoyment that such an involvement can provide to the individual, the community, and as an act of worship to God.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT DEPARTMENT
Hillcrest Christian College commenced its International Student Program in 1996 and is registered to accept international students from Prep to Year 12. This highly successful and supportive program aims to give students a genuine Australian school experience and strong academic support in one of Queensland’s leading private schools, assisting our students to progress into the future academic or career pathway of their choice. Unlike ELICOS Colleges, where students are removed from mainstream English speaking students, international students at Hillcrest are immersed in an English speaking environment from their first day. This language saturation strategy improves the student’s listening and speaking skills at a much-increased rate. We offer international students: •
long-term and short-term programs
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integrated ESL lessons in all year levels, to support students to develop both Conversational English and Academic English (minimum of 5 lessons x 40 mins per week)
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English for Second Language Learners, a board registered subject in Year 11 and 12 that provides a rigorous English course with culturally-appropriate content
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after school tutoring for all international students at no extra charge
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a warm, accepting College community that seeks to welcome and connect with students from other cultures
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caring and supportive local homestay families for Year 7 – 12 international students requiring accommodation
International enrolments are capped at 5% of the student population with limits in each year level, enabling international students to integrate well and maximise their opportunities for learning within the Australian context. Hillcrest Christian College has seen many international students from across the world graduate and successfully move into a variety of universities including those in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The College also welcomes visits from small groups of students connected to our partner schools as part of cultural tours to Australia. Parents and agents can find information about what Hillcrest Christian College offers international students on our website or by contacting us at international@hillcrest.qld.edu.au.
CRICOS Provider No: 01043C
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE 21 Bridgman Drive, Reedy Creek Qld 4227 PO Box 2503, Burleigh Waters Qld 4220 07 5593 4226 | office@hillcrest.qld.edu.au | hillcrest.qld.edu.au Hillcrest Christian College is an Interdenominational Ministry of Reedy Creek Baptist Church and is operated by Hillcrest Christian College Ltd. CRICOS No. 01043C. ACN 010381334 ABN 68 947 459 366